THINGS must be bad within York's bureaucracy if Gillian Cruddas feels the need to respond to Steve Galloway's proposals for the Bonding Warehouse (Press, September 1).

I never though I'd find myself agreeing with her views of York, but when she described the proposed conversion of this crumbling building to purely residential use as a "missed opportunity" I nearly choked. The woman needs applauding! The City of Festivals (a branding York shares with Exeter, so nothing unique about it) should really be renamed the City Of Missed Opportunities.

The council might play down its role in losing the Odeon cinema, but it did kick start the process of being pedantic in its planning procedures, and you get the feeling it was glad to see the back of the 30-year-old Impressions Photographic Gallery. Now relocated to Bradford, that city council has bent over backwards to provide them with a large, purpose-built city-centre building.

If York considers itself a city of international standing the council should think accordingly and act to increase its attractions intelligently and not dumb the city down.

This lack of vision and vitality shines out in your article on the Bonding Warehouse. Altering the roof line by putting a flat in the rafters alters the shape of the building completely, and a bridge from the first floor over the road to Skeldergate is frankly laughable. This will only work given a first rate architect. York's Lib Dems are notorious for obsessively cutting corners so they are bound to give this project to a mediocre architect who will produce yet another bodged job. However, your photograph of Councillor Galloway on Skeldergate Bridge suggests a new career for him once he is out of office. Having sold off half the city he has the right credentials for it. He would make a perfect estate agent.

Paul Furness Lower Darnborough Street Clementhorpe York


A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "Depending on the Executive's decision on September 12 the council may, with the tenant, place the property on the open market.

"The sales particulars would not constrain the type of development, but would advise potential developers of the restrictions imposed upon the building by its listing and its location within an area that is subject to flooding.

"Any future planning application received from a future developer would be considered by the planning authority on its own merits, irrespective of whether it is for a restaurant, wine bar or residential apartments. The council remains focused upon seeing this building brought back into use, whatever that might be, and removing the present eyesore from the riverside."