THE Press has been full of Dransfield's stylised artists' impressions of new plans for its developments in the heart of Selby - a supermarket, extension and three retail units totalling 100,000sq ft in or close to the conservation area.

The scale of this - six times the area of Selby Abbey - will markedly change the character of the centre of our historic market town.

Dransfield should provide more artists' impressions of its development.

A view from Market Place down what will be left of James Street after the dummy-glazed wall of the supermarket extension blocks off the street, perhaps?

Or illustrations of its proposed delivery route into Morrisons showing a juggernaut delivering via James Street and Abbey Yard, the bulldozing of Victorian buildings in the conservation area and demolition of the Abbey Vaults pub?

Schoolchildren of Abbey School deserve better than to be moved to an out-of-town-centre site in the council office car park, alongside the railway and remote from their abbey church.

How much better to redevelop the school on its present town centre site alongside the Bowling Green.

Dransfield's claim of "saving James Street recreation ground" is particularly insulting to the many Selebians who fought its earlier plans and wrested the Bowling Green from its clutches.

It is claimed there has been consultation with local stakeholders. Selby Civic Society was offered a consultation - but almost a week after Dransfield's application had been registered with Selby District Council. Some consultation!

It is revealing that this time Dransfield has not deemed it worthwhile to hold a public display of its plans. Perhaps it took too much criticism last time?

Readers sharing the civic society's desire for sensible development of Selby are urged to request Selby planning committee to reject this scheme - the deadline is December 1.

Dr D Moss,

Honorary Secretary,

Selby Civic Society,

Great Close,

Cawood,

Selby.

Updated: 10:17 Friday, November 18, 2005