WE welcome the major public consultation about the Coppergate II development (October 2).

The Castle Area Campaign Group fought its anti Coppergate II campaign based on a desire for more green and open space and we are dismayed to read that "proposals to grass over the car park and create a public open space look to have been ruled out from the start".

We believe "the site" is actually two sites, the Castle car park being one, and Piccadilly the second. Recognition of this fact would swiftly move things along.

The sooner Piccadilly is developed the better.

York residents have had at least three good suggestions for the development of the area around Clifford's Tower:

1. A green and open space (which is the York Tomorrow suggestion)

2. The Castle Quarter (designed by Martin Burgess)

3. Alison Sinclair's open space with archaeology of the older castle prison

Your article mentioned that councillors believe in more green and open space in housing areas rather than the city centre.

We welcome this, but don't let's forget that we have massive city centre flat and apartment developments currently taking place. These new residents also deserve a green and open space.

Stuart Wilson and Dave Dee,

Vesper Drive,

Acomb, York.

Updated: 10:21 Friday, October 10, 2003