ANDREW Eccles' letter (September 19) and the article "14 flats plan for Piccadilly" (September 23) are somewhat lacking in clarity.

Mr Eccles fails to acknowledge that Mr Burgess, the owner of the former Polar Motors site, is also the owner and co-director of Northminster Properties. Northminster is a commercial development of a number of office blocks and warehousing at the former Challis of York wholesale plant nursery at Poppleton.

The Poppleton site was originally developed by Challis in the Eighties, as a green belt for horticultural use. With the help of very large European grants, it is now far from anything green belt or horticultural.

Is Mr Eccles' suggestion that the council sell the former tram building in the genuine interests of the area, or is Northminster wanting to purchase the property for further development? Also how many other properties does Mr Burgess own in the same area and are these to be put up for sale along with the council's?

The old Challis site was always a difficult site to exit as it only has one route out on to the busy A59 but was still approved by the former Labour council. I hope the new council will step back regarding Piccadilly and not feel forced into fragmented planning approval.

P Sunley,

Paddock Way,

York.

Updated: 10:20 Friday, October 10, 2003