I HAVE read with great interest and concern the descriptions of the shopping mall planned for the Clifford's Tower area.

My wife and I first visited York in 2004, and are returning next spring. We simply love your magnificent city the way it is.

As is often pointed out, "The history of York is the history of England." Therefore, York occupies a unique place in English history which should be carefully preserved, so that future generations may enjoy its amazing medieval, Georgian and Victorian structures.

We reside in a relatively new country in which the first lasting European settlement began in the early 17th century. This is a historical drop-in-the-bucket compared with York: the mound of earth on which Clifford's Tower stands was erected in the 11th century.

So why be opposed to the planned shopping mall? First of all, the entire city within its walls and bars should be zealously preserved.

The planned development is in a historically important location and respect should be given to the surrounding architecture. Let's face it, the proposed structure is out of character for this neighbourhood.

I recognise that people have to have somewhere to shop, but this could occur elsewhere and still be lucrative and convenient.

Millions of tourists visit York because of its amazing architecture, which is a cross-section of British history. They do not visit to have it look like Plymouth or Docklands.

Please, City of York Council, do the right thing and require that this development be relocated.

Chris Watts,

Main Street East,

Shelburne,

Ontario, Canada.

Updated: 10:55 Thursday, December 22, 2005