I AM delighted to read that City of York Council's planning committee has agreed to vary the conditions affecting the Arc Light hostel for the homeless on Leeman Road and allow residents to remain in the building during the day (September 27).

This ought to make their lives less miserable on wet days as well as easing the friction with the local population at times when they leave the building in large groups or queue outside to wait for the door to be opened.

I agree with the executive member for housing that this change in conditions "can only improve matters".

I hope that when the promised funding for this extension of the work of Arc Light has been worked out, some means of guaranteed financial support for the whole of this important work will also be found.

David Livesley,

Liberal Democrat spokesperson for housing, Lang Road,

Bishopthorpe, York.

Updated: 12:38 Thursday, October 03, 2002