Name:

Jackie Jackson

Location:

USA

Comments

I live in the USA. I am from Yorkshire, though not from York. But I feel very strongly that those who have the power to do so should treat our heritage as precious.

Name:

Michael Blackburn

Location:

Freiburg, Germany

Comments

I am originally from Leeds, now live in Germany, although I did live in York for one year. I have loved York since I was a youngster, always head straight there whenever I am home. Clifford's Tower is one of the places I take visitors to show them the best of our British heritage. I have travelled extensively in Europe and seen how such treasures are looked after in other countries - there are no shops and offices in front of the leaning tower of Pisa for example. Please do not allow this most important part of our history be defaced, and spoiled for us all.

Name:

Sandra Smith

Location:

Canberra, Australia

Comments

I think this new development is totally absurd! What can be going on in the minds of these so called developers. Obviously motivated by money and greed! What happened to culture and heritage? For God's sake have a re-think and come to your senses.

Name:

Peter Sreventon

Location:

Odenwald Germany

Comments

I never thought I would say this, but I´m glad I moved,(Originally from Doncaster) England was once a place of Beauty and Heritage.Now it´s become the Builders Paradise (want to build anything in Europe come to Good Old England theres a little Green Belt left)When are they going to learn We need our Heritage not Multi storey Car Parks or Superstores

Name:

Susan

Location:

North Carolina

Comments

This is an outrage! Cifford's Tower and the area surrounding it must be left alone. This is history, important history that you are mucking about with. Don't start making Britain disposable or it will end up like the US! Yorkshire ex-pat

Name:

Louisa

Location:

Perth, Australia

Comments

Buildings of Historical value should never be brought down. Leave it alone!!!

Name:

K & M Brown

Location:

Australia

Comments

This is sheer vandalism. What has become of one of England's oldest cities? Although we left Leeds many years ago, York is the Jewel in Yorkshire's crown. Our family history goes back to York and we have many happy memories of our time spent in the City and surrounds, and we marvelled at the Jorvik discovery on our last visit. Please do not desicrate the beautiful city of York with this insane proposal.

Name:

Mark Andrew

Location:

Halifax, Yorkshire

Comments

I am very pleased to support any attemp to halt the proposed development of the area near Clifford's Tower. York deserves a more suitable use of this historic area than just another shopping centre built of fake 'leggo' designs.

Name:

June Fletcher

Location:

Goole,Yorkshire

Comments

I agree with the other comments,the city of York should be left with all its historical buildings for everyone to enjoy and not have them hidden by horrible modern eye-sores.

Name:

Andy Royston

Location:

Florida, USA

Comments

The planning of a great city demands that its most prominent cultural features are placed in an appropriate setting. Clifford's Tower might not sell T-Shirts or attract the multitude coach parties but its importance in Yorkshire's cultural history cannot be understated. And it must not be allowed to become the backyard of some ill-planned shopping mall.

Name:

Angela Gurnavage

Location:

Pennsylvania, USA

Comments

I'm from Ilkley originally, and I've always loved my many trips to York over the years. My American husband loved the City of York and all it's famous landmarks. People flock from all around the world to see them... so why spoil one of them?? Please leave the historical sites alone.

What's next, for God's sake? Knocking down York Minster????

Name:

Carol Fozard Parker

Location:

NSW Australia

Comments

I do not understand why people are so swayed to pull down places of beauty that have been there so long just because they think they can make money Leave Clifford Tower as it is

Name:

phyllis yeo

Location:

wilts.

Comments

why does developers want to mess around with our Heritage.please tell them to leave it alone.once it has gone they cannot replace it.I know that i have been in wilts since 1946 but that dos'nt mean you forget your roots.

Name:

Brenda Craike

Location:

Wollongong, Australia

Comments

I am a Leeds girls. Left there 29yrs ago to come out here, but York was always a favourite place of my Mother's & mine, & we had many a day visit & lots of happy times. Leave Clifford's Tower alone & the rest of York, it's history goes back hundreds of years, don't distroy it.

Name:

Sheila Coe

Location:

Canada

Comments

I now live in western Canada but was born and raised in Leeds, Yorkshire. I join with all the others in asking you to protect and preserve Clifford's Tower and the SURROUNDING AREA. If you destroy our past you will destroy the future.

Name:

Alan Ellis

Location:

Vancouver BC

Name:

irene schreiber

Location:

Wisconsin USA

Comments

AN OUTRAGE! it has been proved over and over that these type of schemes ruin the area for the sake of corporate developement.It is not as if people do not have a choice of a place to shop!.People come to York for the architecture and history,not to go to a shopping mall! Leeds is near enough if they want a shopping extravaganza! I am from Huddersfield,W.Yorkshire originally,that is a classic example of history destroyed in the the name of 'capitol corporate enterprise' The old market was destroyed along with the historic PACK HORSE YARD,NOW A HORRIBLE SHOPPING CENTRE WITH NO CHARACTER.I used to walk through the pack horse yard each day to work and then to Shambles lane, a once cobbled street , now a shopping mall. I now live in the USA and spend my time when asked telling people to go to York not London! Please think again and keep York the way it is!

Name:

Andrew Jack

Location:

Florida U.S.A.

Comments

I'm originally from Sunderland, England so I'm familiar with the beautiful, wonderful heritage we have in the British Isles. Developers must not be allowed to take this away from all of us. Here in Florida we are growing at an amazing pace yet I see something which totally amazes me. They build these ugly monstrosities called strip malls and invite vendors to open their stores there. Unfortunately some of these ventures don't pay off and we are left with an ugly building devoid of any life. Instead of the developers re-vitalizing these areas they just go and build another strip mall!!!!! often as not immediately next door to the failing one!!!!!!! While not wishing to compare our heritage with a modern day eyesore, my point is there will be another piece of land somewhere else, maybe with run down business's on it at the moment, which could be utilized for any business venture.

Name:

brian & betty sells

Location:

Monteith, Ontario

Name:

Linda Richardson

Location:

Texas

Comments

Although I live in Texas I'm a Brit through and through. Please leave well enough alone. Something like this cannot be replaced.....a concerned Brit

Name:

Myra Smith

Location:

Knaresborough

Comments

The one thing peolpe go to York for is the history not to look at the same shops that have apeared in every other town. What next the Yorvik theme park??

Name:

Ted Simpson

Location:

Leeds England

Comments

We must look after our heritage, Why not use this opportunity to make a garden or some place to sit and enjoy a lovely city.

Name:

Albert Floyde

Location:

Queensland Australia

Comments

Cliffords Tower is one of the many sites in York I love to return to on my return visits to your beautful city I hope you will leave it as is so that future generations can enjoy the same pleasure that I do

Name:

Laura Hay

Location:

Winnipeg, MB CANADA

Comments

I would just like to say that its terrible placing a shopping centre ( we have plenty of those) in place of a historical building. We should keep all our history, thats what makes England so great. Just cause ppl can make money out of a shopping centre history and heritage is worth triple that.

Please forget building a shopping centre!

Laura ( Brit expat)

Name:

BOB HACKETT

Location:

HAMILTON NEW ZEALAND

Comments

THIS IS NOT THE TYPE OF PROGRESS HISTORIONS SHOULD LET HAPPEN.ALL IT WILL DO IS END UP A POINT WHERE YOUNG THUGS AND HOOLIGANS HANG OUT,SKATEBOARDERS ANNOYING EVERYONE. THE TOURIST LEAVES ,THEN THE SHOPS BECOME EMPTY,AND BEFORE LONG A ONCE PRISTINE SPOT BECOMES ANOTHER TRADGIC LOSS.

Name:

Joy

Location:

Chicago

Comments

It's unthinkable that this historic place be demolished to errect a shopping mall. If we demolish Englands great history who will come to buy in the shops that you plan to errect. Tourist come to see history not a row of new building. In the past demolishing has taken place only to find down the road a huge mistake was made that can not be replaced. Joy A YORKSHIRE LASS

Name:

Mel

Location:

USA

Comments

I am English living the USA, but it seems that my homeland is being destroyed by commerce. Why cant we leave some things alone to be enjoyed by future generations! Sometimes I think I can't bear the heartbreak of seeing the changes as more of our history is discarded as though it was nothing!

Name:

patricia faulkner

Location:

new zealand

Comments

Hope this never happens. shops we dont need. The tourists can see all the shops they need at home. The come to york for the history. why do you think they come to England, its because England is old. unlike their country. I dislike these shopping complexes, all glitter and noise. that I can do without.

Name:

Paul Cowburn

Location:

Altrincham, Cheshire

Comments

I fully support this initiative to preserve the heritage of York and our English ancient architecture. I often visit york and to think this sight could be swallowed up inside a shopping mall beggers belief.

Name:

Antony Palourti

Location:

Tunbridge Wells

Comments

I was born in Harrogate and know the tower very well. This absolutely cannot be allowed to happen.

Name:

Lauren Devine

Location:

USA

Comments

We must preserve historic monuments; not only for today, but for future generations.

Name:

Janet Fischer

Location:

Indianapolis, USA

Comments

I am British but living in the USA, and I see examples of the loss of history every week. I always extoll the values of the British and Europeans in preserving the integrity of historic buildings and monuments.

Please do not lower the standards in York by allowing the commercial presence to overwhelm the historical. Surely there are other areas where a shopping center could be located, allowing this area between the Museum and Clifford's Tower to be developed into an historical oasis.

Name:

Peter Bradford

Location:

Ellicott City, MD, USA

Comments

Please reconsider. Britain has little left except its history. Don't spoil that.

Name:

arianna

Location:

SWITZERLAND

Comments

I am ITALIAN but now live in Switzerland with my husband. We both love to travel but we love to do it RESPECTIN and LOVING the places we see, their culture and traditions and their inhabitants, from who we can always learn new and interesting things. This is the point, RESPECT for everithing is getting lost in too many places on this planet. Nature in FIRST place, but also historical heritage and different cultures MUST be respected and LOVED by every single man, because we are all coming and going to the same place, we are all the same but many people FORGET it by fear or will, therefore we shouldn't think that our misbehaviour regarding any of the things I have listed before will not "affect" our fellow brothers, our same family...and ourselves. People should READ more, FIGHT ignorance or those who USE and PROMOTE it as weapon against their brothers...start tomorrow -better today- and READ Thom Hartmann's "The Last Hours of Ancient Sunlight", it's a nice and needed wake-up call that we all needed from quite some time. And after that NEVER stop again reading in your life (you'll find suggested books by Mr. Hartmann or just look on the internet on any bookstore on line and see of the same topics what you can find...I did it and it worked!) ...and teach your beloved ones to READ and ask questions, to THINK with their brains and to LOVE the humain creatures all together as ONE. I know we'll all be fine - but i hope you will enjoy until you are alive...and make life enjoyable for all those you'll meet along the way...as I am trying to. Be blessed.

Name:

Gerry Bugg

Location:

OREWA BEACH New Zealand

Comments

Please do not let the developers ruin the most beautiful and historic city in the world. There is plenty of room for development like this out in the suburbs. How the council can even think about it beats me. Stand up the people of york and fight for your rights. Gerry Bugg

Name:

Emma Riggs

Location:

North Carolina Formaly of Walsall UK

Comments

Come on people we have enough shopping centers ..Lets keep our history it is one of the things that makes England what it is !!!!!

Name:

Ewan & Jenny Gell

Location:

New Zealand

Comments

Please include our names with those against this development, coming from Chester originally we know what such a development means.

Dont let them spoil something special

Name:

Christine Bubeck

Location:

Erie, Pennsylvania, USA

Comments

Please don't let anyone destroy this historical building, we should be preserving out heritage at any cost rather than destroying it out of the greed of some shopkeepers. For God's sake, please try and keep things in perspective! People visit York for the historical significance, surely if they want to shop they can go elsewhere. I am originally from Pudsey and when I come home to visit, Clifford's Tower is always on my list of places to share with any American friends or family that are with me. Please protect our heritage.

Name:

PETER WATKINS

Location:

USA

Comments

OUR HERITAGE IS OUR PAST ,WE LEARN FROM THE PAST .WE NEED TO SAVE OUR HERITAGE FOR OUR CHILDREN

Name:

Kelly Clester

Location:

USA-Maryland

Comments

Do not do Clifford's tower this injustice! I for one have never been to England, and hope that one day when I do visit I am able to visit Clifford's Tower,and the surroundings as they still are instead of the absurd idea of changing it. For the sake of history of what Clifford's Tower is today, and will be for many people to enjoy for hundreds of years to come leave it alone!!!!!!!

Name:

carl stewart

Location:

blue mountains australia

Comments

I used to live in york before moving to australia and i remember as a small boy running up and down the mound. It would be a travesty to have a big shopping complex right next to the tower. DONT LET IT BECOME REALITY

Name:

Pam Mouton

Location:

Louisiana USA

Comments

I live in the USA where they have little history and people are fascinated by ours. Places like Clifford's Tower are part of our heritage and we should proudly preserve it to the last. Trust me, we do not want to end up like the USA with nothing but shopping malls and commercialism everywhere. Leave Clifford's Tower alone!

Name:

Geoff Nichol

Location:

Middleton Tyas.  North Riding 

Comments

I was born and educated in York and most of my family still live in the city. York is one of the feww remaining jewels in this country's crown and its further despoiling must be resisted.

Name:

Paul Hornby

Location:

Oxford

Comments

I was born and raised in York and am still a Freeman of the City but lets have an input of realism about the Cliffords Tower area. The decline of the area began in the 1930's (long before I was born) when the City Council bought the area and demolished the surrounding castle walls and military prison. Work started on a new civic centre but WWll put a stop to that. The basements existed until the 1970's when they were buried under the existing car park (not a great loss as I attended gatherings there and it was not a plesant place). The present tower is stranded by itself and lacks a suitable setting. It is third rate in terms of townscape. I do not support the proposed commercial development but would support residential development on the car parks and some linear development to recreate that which was lost when the walls were demolished in the 30's.

Name:

Frey Jorgensson

Location:

Stockholm,Sweden

Comments

York is one of those rare cities that seems to develop and keep in time with the modern world yet retain that special feeling of history that is everywhere you turn. I feel that the proposed development would seriously damage that, people visit York not only for the history but for the shopping, those unique and varied little shops that line the streets are amazing. To build one of those ugly, sprawling monstrosities known as the modern shopping mall so close to Clifford's Tower would be a crime and would make York that little less special and a little more like your average boring city. Also, if the people of York are against the move the council should damn well listen to them. The people elected them and the people are the ones forced to pay the ludicrously high council tax that enables the council to sit on their arses making stupid decisions like the development. The development should definitely not go ahead.

Name:

karen

Location:

wakefield

Comments

york council you make me sick! I thought it was bad enough in Wakefield where the council want every piece of green land ripped up to make way for housing or coporate development but this takes the damn biscuit! How do morons like york council end up in places of power when they clearly have the foresight of a 2 year old child???

Name:

Dave Gorman

Location:

York

Comments

The Council Planners and members of the Council in York must be in league with the Developers to approve this appalling scheme. There's something sick in this city if this can go ahead. Its cheap and nasty. Where has the civic pride gone?

Name:

David Susman

Location:

Massachusetts, USA

Comments

This area should never be made into a shopping centre or "modernized" in any way. I remember as a lad being taken to York and would like to think that when I take my children back history will remain undisturbed.

Name:

June

Location:

Australia

Comments

I live in Australia, I am originally from Doncaster but my family are from York and Leeds. Clifford's Tower is a piece of our English/York history and it and it's area should be left alone. You can find other places to build shopping centres etc but once you destroy this a piece of history has gone forever.

Name:

Janice Wood

Location:

Hovingham, North Yorks

Comments

Please don't develop this area for shopping. Spend the money instead on redeveloping those areas which are already designated shopping areas. York has been spoiled in past times by ravaging developers - don't make it worse!

Name:

Colin Pickles

Location:

Maidstone Kent

Comments

The Clifford's Tower should not be ruined by having 'another' shopping mall built close to it. Some things should be protected from the profit seekers?

Name:

Dawn Pickles

Location:

Skipton

Comments

Do'nt build a modern development next to a piece of our history - it will spoil it for the majority.

Name:

carolpaigemia

Location:

australia

Comments

please look after CLIFFORD TOWER,S i really love to visit each time i come to uk,three times and we always visit YORK just love it there,it has so much history,you must look after it,bye now carol from aussie born in blackpool,uk

Name:

George Moody

Location:

England

Comments

Yet another rape of Englands Heritage which should be stopped.

Name:

AlanCartwright

Location:

Pocklington

Comments

A fine open air site used and enjoyed by all. Decked out in bulbs in Spring, covered in bodies in Summer and site of William the Conqueror's first building in York it needs preserving and presenting not losing it is apart of a vista Lose the view at peril

Name:

june Smith

Location:

Holland

Comments

As a Freeman of York, born in York as well, I think this development stinks! I do not know what the York council are thinking about, they seem to have their brains in their boots. Cliffords Tower is part of York`s Historical past, and to deface it with a modern building at the side is disaster. Have a rethink York Council!

Name:

John Dawson

Location:

West Midlands

Comments

York has enough shops. There's a great market and lots of shops for local needs. There are also the type of shop which smells very pleasant but sells all sorts of useless tourist ephemera. Stonegate for example now has very few real shops compared to the mid 70's when I lived in the city. I would like to bet that a new mall would feature the tourist- trap type of shop. Having visited the city only this week it's amazing how many people blandly walk past the city's great assets like the Minster and Clifford's Tower seeking out sweat shirts and stickers. Perhaps shops in a new mall would include olde worlde prints of Clifford's Tower how it used to look before the development?

Name:

Christine Suthers

Location:

Burlington, Ontario Canada

Name:

Mabel Jowsey

Location:

New Zealand

Comments

This is the most insane idea I've heard for a while. What has happened to the brains and hearts of these developers? Have they no sense of beauty, no sensitivity or feeling for history? Can they not see that wonderful historical edifices like Clifford's Tower are irrisistable drawcards for overseas visitors as well as local ones.

Name:

Rabbi Douglas Charing

Location:

Leeds

Comments

It will be a very sad day if this project is permitted. Future generations will regard us as Philistines for allowing a mere commercial enterprise to spoil something of great beauty and of great historical significance.

Name:

Carolyn De BOna

Location:

Townsville, Austrlia

Comments

I can't beleive they would do this to such an Historical site, I have visited Cliffords Tower and the Museum opposite on a couple of occassions. Shouldn't we be protecting the heritage of sites like this, not pursuing the corporate dollar. Absolutely digusted!

Name:

Deborah Beban

Location:

Wellington,New Zealand

Comments

Keep the tower in all it's splendour on top of the hill free from mdevelopment. It was a beautiful sight to see when I visited in the late 1990's. I was quite awestruck by the towe on it's own and would hate to see in overwhelmed with another mall.

Name:

Charles Pottins

Location:

London

Comments

Have just enjoyed a weekend holiday trip in York, visiting Cliffords Tower and other sites, and been impressed by the way the city keeps its history and its atmosphere. I am amazed and apalled that anyone should consider plans that would spoil all this. Clifford Tower is an important international monument which your city is preserving. Stop this unwanted shopping development, and let the people and visitors have a nice leafy little park where they can relax in peace there.

Name:

Terry Bratley

Location:

Halifax Yorkshire

Comments

As an ex soldier and a Yorkshireman who trained and was stationed in York for some time, I feel very strongly that any new development should not be built at the foot of what is a very important and historic landmark as Cliffords Tower. Be very careful not to ruin a beautiful city!

Name:

Terry Suthers

Location:

Burlington, Ontario. Canada

Comments

Why does history always seem to suffer because of progress?

Name:

John Davey

Location:

Sherburn-in-Elmet

Comments

Such a destruction of York's heritage is only matched by the destruction of the original castle walls two centuries ago! There is little cash in local purses - but attracting foreign money is a plus-plus-plus!

Look to tourism - not to car parking and local sales!

Name:

Malcolm Bull

Location:

mbtraining@aol.com

Comments

The more isolated the Tower, the better it looks on postcards and other recreational outgoings. York is for Yorkshire, for Britain and the world ... and not just for the speculators who want to rip-off York's history, make a fast £ and then move on

Name:

Anis Martin Kashani

Location:

Texas, USA

Comments

From the point of view of an American tourist, I can appreciate the benefits of having a modern facility to accomodate tourism and boost your local economy.

However, as an amateur historian I must vote against the proposed plan.

How many beautiful sites in your country have been lost forever by the construction of modern buildings adjacent to historical ones? How will those of us born in a country hardly a few centuries old ever see such sites if they are altered by modern structures?

I implore you to reconsider your proposal.

Name:

simon roberts

Location:

London

Comments

Britain is all to happy to destroy its heritage but once it is all gone there will be no way to turn back the clock. It is a crying shame that these out of town shopping malls, that are already killing off family businesses in towns, and then being filled with generic, poor quality dscount products that will have a shelf life of 10-20 years is even considered to blemish a tower that has been around for nearly 1000 years and counting. There are many other places to build a shopping mall, like in the city itself!

Name:

simon roberts

Location:

London

Comments

Britain is all to happy to destroy its heritage but once it is all gone there will be no way to turn back the clock. It is a crying shame that these out of town shopping malls, that are already killing off family businesses in towns, and then being filled with generic, poor quality dscount products that will have a shelf life of 10-20 years is even considered to blemish a tower that has been around for nearly 1000 years and counting. There are many other places to build a shopping mall, like in the city itself!

Name:

brian & betty sells

Location:

Monteith, Ontario Canada

Name:

Richard J Doggett

Location:

London Ont' Canada

Comments

You who are responsible for this Desicration will not soon be forgiven. I for one will boycott this development and any other site associated with the developers. Although I live in Canada I am fortunate to be able to visit Wakefield my home town once a year and always make the drive to york a top priority, My wife and I have many friends and family in Yorkshire, It is my intension to discourage there use of this proposed development. I ask you this "what price our heratage and what are we without it. RJD

Name:

Location:

Comments

Name:

Brian Lovegrove

Location:

Brampton, Ont., Canada

Comments

I am a 3rd generation Canadian, whose ancestors originate from Yorkshire; a history fanatic enthralled with England and its turbulent history.

When I visit York, and I have visited several times over the years, I feel that I have been given the privilege of walking through history. The entire city is a living museum, preserved for all times. It is a city in which one can experience, not merely observe.

Anything which may detract from the awe felt when travelling it's beautiful streets should be discouraged at all costs.

York is a vibrant, lively city because it retains it's historical monuments and layout and utilizes both in today's modern city.

The present shopping area is in the same buildings and streets of old. This is it's quaintness and allure.

If a new shopping centre is successful in drawing business away from the York that every one now knows, the city will loose it's uniqueness and become a derelict museum.

York IS History!

Name:

Donna Edwards-Jordan

Location:

Pennsylvania, USA

Comments

This proposed development is sheer vandalism. As a frequent visitor to your city, I can tell you that actions such as this which degrade historic and cultural sites will DECREASE tourism. Tourists go to York for its cultural history. While there, we patronize its shops. Its local, unique shops, that is; those located in historic buildings along the snickleways. I need not travel to visit a modern mall. They are as common as grass here. The developers will make a great deal of money on this project, and then they will leave, having spread some money around to those who made their way easier. And very soon, you have a generic sort of city that nobody need go visit. Unless I have completely misjudged things, tourism is York's chief "industry". Its short-sighted Council is about to kill the goose that has been laying those golden eggs.

Name:

Margaret Clare Stoll

Location:

Essex, UK

Comments

Although I live in Essex now, I was born in York and I regard York as 'my home town'.

I disapprove of this proposed development. There are enough 'shopping malls' elsewhere, no need for them on this historic spot.

Name:

Mrs Janis Thatcher

Location:

Exeter, Devon

Name:

Sylvia Sorensen

Location:

Montmartre, Saskatchewan, Canada

Name:

Thomas Haskins

Location:

London, UK

Comments

It is sad that historic inheritance can be traded for capital gain.

Name:

Mick Phythian

Location:

YORK

Comments

Not a nice prospect at all - better a green space with a place for public performance. An end to more & more shops spoiling York's vistas.

Name:

Matthew Kalil

Location:

Cape Town, South Africa

Comments

Good-Grief!

I have stayed in the UK for over three years, studying and working. I found York to be the most beautiful city in England. Please! Please! Please don't destroy it with this so-called "development". Come on people, really, you KNOW this is a wrong, irrevocable action.

Name:

phil howarth

Location:

manchester uk

Comments

A historic city should treasure it's past - not destory it...

Name:

Richard Lane

Location:

Prague

Comments

A 'beacon council'? Committed to public participation? This development was decided long before it reached the public domain, and their recent threats to bankrupt the opposition show the lengths they'll go to when public participation doesn't go their way. They have sided with the developers against their heritage and citizenry in the name of proven disasterous short-term financial gain. Coppergate II is a disaster for York.

Name:

Alice Wood

Location:

Exeter, NH, USA

Comments

As one who has seen firsthand so much of the historic buildings and towns eaten up "one-size fits all" shopping malls across the USA and as a true lover of peaceful, historic York, I sincerely hope this plan never comes to fruition. Learn from the mistakes of the former colonies and do not let this happen. I assure you preserving the past is far superior to any item you could buy in those potential stores.

Name:

Dean Morgan

Location:

Manchester

Comments

I am absolutely appauled at the lengths these Money Mad Developers and the Corrupt and Incompetent Representatives of the York people (the So Called Council) can use their position and rather feudalistic influence to put their interests above that of the elector, especially when the elector definately says 'No', to yet another retail outlet.

But then, the elector is only a consumer: a cash cow for the Mamonites to exploit.

It is not really the building we all object to, but it's location. It is inappropriate to construct such an 'Out of Keeping' and tasteless building within a very prestigious and historic site.

Go and build your Ugly, Substandard and Second rate 'Temple to Consumerism' somewhere else, and remove the the corrupt dictators and their quango cronies immediately from their places of office, and allow the Citizen's of York to finally, run THEIR City as they see fit!

LEAVE OUR HERITAGE ALONE!

Ironic, isn't it, that the Bailey was originally built to supress the 'Yorkies' in the first place under the Feudal System! It really is depressing, and goes to show that very little has changed in the past 900 years.

Name:

Jonathan Irvine

Location:

York, UK

Comments

I've been a resident of York for 4 years and plan on spending a lot more years here. It doesn't need anymore shopping centres, especially built on such a nice area of land.

I hope me signing this make a difference, though I doubt it will.

Name:

Malcolm Meeson

Location:

Leeds, West-Yorkshire

Comments

Do not allow greed to destroy the heritage of this beautiful City. The area surrounding Cliffords Tower must remain as it is, this city belongs to the nation, not to fatcat businessmen.

Name:

Linda Espeut

Location:

Canada

Comments

When I visited York 3 years ago with my daughter, Clifford's Tower was one of our favourite spots. Please don't spoil it with an ugly shopping mall. We found that there were plenty of lovely shops in York as it was.

Name:

Sally Tindill

Location:

Bedale North Yorkshire

Comments

I don't live York but spent a lot of time there as a musician. Clearly, York is a beautiful historical City, already equipped for those who like to shop. The last thing York needs is more shops!, especially at this wonderful site. As we have said in Bedale on many occasions - STOP THE SPRAWL

Name:

philipp kruse

Location:

Münster Germany

Name:

Location:

Name:

Chris Clegg

Location:

York

Comments

Name:

Thierry LEPREVOST

Location:

Caen,Normandy,France

Comments

Notre duc Guillaume le Conquérant a fait construire cette tour. C'est un monument normand! Défendons notre patrimoine contre les projets imbéciles de promoteurs sans scrupules! Il faut TOUT faire pour préserver ce site historique exceptionnel. Notre château de Falaise a été défiguré par du béton, cela suffit: plus jamais de massacre architectural, où que ce soit dans le monde!

Name:

Ian Pitman

Location:

SOmerset

Comments

I am a regular visitor to York, where I have family, and to desecrate this area in the name of commercial greed would be a travesty! Have some sense of history, and some respect for those who gave their lives on this spot.... DO NOT DEVELOP HERE!!!

Name:

Elisabeth Mains

Location:

Kentucky,USA

Comments

I live in the USA, but am a born and bred Yorkie and lived there until I came to the USA. Please, please leave the Clifford's Tower area free from monstrous shopping malls - it is scary, that York Council can seeming do just as they please. York is full of history and historical buildings. LEAVE IT ALONE DON'T SPOIL IT FOR GENERATIONS TO COME.

Name:

Cath Wright

Location:

Leeds, UK

Comments

The serenity of the tower is crucial to the memory of all those that died there. Why do councils insist on distracting us from beauty and history with endless 'retail opportunities'? Leave the area around the tower alone.

Name:

susan stern

Location:

york

Comments

An important site - historically and spiritually. Planners would never attempt to do this to a Christian symbol. This is also a breathtaking piece of architecture which would be ruined by a surround of unnecessary and ugly shops. There's only one Clifford's Tower. Build a park around it - a place of rest and contemplation.

Name:

Polly Cairns

Location:

York

Comments

There are so many alternative locations in York that could be chosen for the proposed scheme. If we must have more shops-and I don't think we need them-then choose an area which will not forever ruin this important, historical and wonderful site.

Name:

Helen Kenwright

Location:

York

Comments

The area should complement and show off the magnificent heritage which is Clifford's Tower. I laughed when I heard that the Victorians had build an ugly wall around the Tower - never expecting a similar monstrosity to be proposed in my lifetime. Concentrate redevelopment on eyesore areas of the City and leave CT alone!

Name:

Ste Kenwright

Location:

York

Comments

An alternative scheme has been designed which is much better for the City - keep our heritage safe!

Name:

Wolfgang Wiemers

Location:

Muenster, Germany

Comments

I wish to join the protest and petition

- first as a citizen, and some time councillor, or the town of Muenster. Muenster and York have a long tradition of being twin-cities, so I think we have a special responsibility for each other's well-being. Personally I remember with gratefulness the efforts of British citizens to re-install democracy after the war, and to open up our view of the world. In the British Centre "Die Brücke" I got important impulses and contacts as a boy and student in the 50ies. Now as our common heritage (culture and Christianity in the Middle Ages came from York to Muenster) is threatened by a kowtow to superficial commercialism (greetings from Huxley's Brave New World!) all sensible citizens should resist. - Secondly I protest as present chairman of Muenster's "Umweltforum" (Forum of 15 local environmental groups). We have come to the insight that the protection of our environment, and a sustainable development for the benefit of future generations, require the preservation or re-establishment of small local economic and social structures. The personal example: A family with 4 children just visiting us noticed with astonishment how few shops there were in our rather extended living area, which made it difficult to send the children shopping. For a reason I could point to a big superstore they had passed on their way from the motorway, that in the recent decades had made a handful of vicinity shops close, to the disadvantage especially of children and seniour citizens. The further result is a considerable increase in motorized traffic, adding more danger for the weaker members of the community, more pollution and faster climate change. As asuccess I could mention that we recenty stopped the erection of another superstore in the neighbourhood, and our ongoing commitment. So in the name of Münster's concerned environmentalists I would like to express thanks for your efforts and encouragement for continuing.

Name:

Roland Kager

Location:

Muenster, Germany

Comments

When will people understand that a city's attractivity is much more valuable than shabby commercialism which can be get about everywhere? I am a Dutch, but I live happily and well over the border in Münster, feeling connected to York as it is a similar city in many aspects, while feeling connected to this project because if Münster city council would behvae as I've heard they are doing right now in York, I would leave for another place with more respect for its heritage.

Name:

Steven King

Location:

Dundee (ex York)

Comments

It seems to me that York has lost the plot. People come to York (as tourists and residents) for that special quality which is a rare thing in the UK - a civilised city.

Name:

Bernard Ingham

Location:

Comments

This is an example of civic vandalism on a grand scale. The application to build on this site has no merit whatsoever and should never have been allowed to progress this far.

Name:

Niall Clarke

Location:

Manchester, England

Comments

I would have hoped that at this stage, with the lessons of the urban planning disasters of the latter half of the 20th century behind us, the unique value of the Tower would be appreciated and be seen to vastly outweigh the value of more shops and offices. I would have though that the council would be promoting development in the more dilapidated areas of the town while simultaneously seeking to make even more of the space around the Tower, removing the car park and drawing together the Tower, museum and river into a unified cultural/leisure area in keeping with the current buildings. The current proposal will isolate the Tower into a tiny space backed onto by shops which will essentially culvert the river. York has plenty of excellent shops of all sorts. One of the attractions of the city is the variety of independent quality shops and the absence of the malls which have destroyed the heart of so many cities in England. I can not understand why the proposal can not be limited to the far side of the river

Name:

Steve Goodacre

Location:

Sheffield

Name:

Ray Wallis

Location:

Hull

Name:

Zara Harvey

Location:

York

Comments

There's more to York than shops!!! For goodness sake how many more do we need?!! Preserve a remarkable and beautiful piece of our heritage!!!!

Name:

Pat Nalder

Location:

Cheshire

Comments

As a resident of Chester, I have seen what can happen to a beautiful city when ill advised development is allowed to go unchecked. Like Chester, York is a jewel in the British heritage crown. Don't allow this important historical area to be ruined. When it's gone, it's gone forever.

Name:

Chris Bush

Location:

York resident

Comments

Want to see this space preserved and not burdened with unsightly shopping mall. Cannot understand Council - the transport system is already unviable.

Name:

Malcolm Dixon

Location:

Copmanthorpe, York

Comments

I do NOT support this development, or anything similar, in this particular area of York.

Name:

Enid Whitaker

Location:

Mackay, Australia

Comments

This is beaurocracy gone mad. Leave our historical sites as they are, these are what brings income into York, this is what the tourist wants to see. York has always been my favourite city in the world and I visit every time I take a trip "home", I don't want to see this famous city desecrated.

Name:

Andrea Rommel

Location:

Surrey, UK

Comments

I can't understand why always we need more and more shopping centres or other commercial sites where only materialism is promoted. There are by far enough places to go and spend your money, and where is the point of building another shopping centre where you only find the same shops and the same things for sale as round the next corner or in the next village/town?

What I really used to admire about the British is that they took good care of their historical heritage and because of this you could - at least to a certain degree - relive or imagine times gone by. But how can you feel the grandeur or importance of a place when it is squeezed in between shopping malls and office blocks? Look at the Dom in Cologne for instance, though very impressive (not only due to the sheer height of it) it is surrounded by post war and 1970/80 buildings and it completely lacks atmosphere (at least as far as I am concerned). OK, Cologne was badly devastated during the war, but I still think they could have made a better job of it. Don't do it! Enjoy and respect history and the atmosphere of York and don't ruin it by distroying the site with a shopping centre.

Name:

Christopher Breakey

Location:

Marsden, West Yorkshire

Comments

The proposed development is nothing short of desecration and must be stopped .....I can't believe it's got this far!

Name:

Andrew Herndlhofer

Location:

Alsager

Comments

This proposal is symptomatic of what is worst about Britain. All people seem to be interested in these days is lining their own pockets, at the expense of everything - even our history and heritage. How anyone in their right mind can think that the city of York would benefit from something like this is nuts. York is a the finest city in the North of England, and the city should be building things that enhance its strenghts and traditions, and allow people the time and space to really appreciate these treasures - not suffocating them under yet another shopping mall. Lunatics and assylums spring to mind.... When are we ever going to learn??

Name:

Wayne Easton

Location:

Fraserburgh Aberdeenshire

Comments

Yes I think a shopping centre so close to the Cliffords Tower site is frankly atrocious. In such a historic area too, could it not be put on the outskirts of the city?. I think York is a stunning place to visit, I've been there only three times, & gladly return, I go for the buildings & history, not to see shopping malls overcrowding the area.

Name:

Lorne J. Fortune

Location:

Toronto, Canada

Comments

Clifford's Tower is a sacred historical location. A shopping mall can be placed in a more suitable place. Leave history alone.....

Name:

troy southgate

Location:

south london

Comments

the proposed plan is a terrible violation of traditional Yorkshire heritage. Please do not approve it.

Name:

clare stubbs

Location:

kent, uk

Comments

Having visited the city, I think York is fantastic the way it is - and it already has a shopping mall and department stores. Why do developers and other (money grabbing) people insist on 'improving' what's already wonderful? Leave Clifford's Tower alone so that future generations can enjoy the past and the important lessons that can be learned from it.

Name:

Michael Shankland

Location:

Hove, East Sussex

Comments

Clifford's Tower is an important landmark for the city of York and of interest to Medievalists everywhere. It is sad to think that it could be relegated in to being overshadowed by a shopping centre. I fully support and admire the campaigners who are trying to preserve this monument's sense of distinction.

Name:

Trevor Allcott

Location:

Crimond Aberdeenshire

Comments

The old City of York area is a national treasure, and a shopping mall is a totally inappropriate development in this area, satisfying the short term commercial greed of developers without regard to the future heritage. There are surely more appropriate places to site yet another shopping mall within the extremely ugly Victorian areas of the city.

Name:

John Cooper

Location:

Sidmouth, Devon

Comments

More wretched greed-driven and utterly unsympathetic development of one of our finest and most historic old cities - wonderful!

Name:

Jwebby

Location:

Stafford

Comments

Don't let them spoil York, it doesn't need shopping malls to attract visitors, please leave it unspoilt for future generations to enjoy.

Name:

Gillian Marr

Location:

Aberdeen

Comments

Beautiful city, beautiful area - don't spoil it !

Name:

Kevin McKinstry

Location:

USA

Comments

I have never been to Cliffords Tower, but it is such a beauty of an historical site, that in NO WAY should a shopping centre be built anywhere near it. That is simply outrageous. NO SHOPPING CENTRE!!

Name:

Barrie Jubb

Location:

Yo30 7DN

Name:

Location:

Name:

Penny Jubb

Location:

YO30 7DN

Name:

Linda Wain

Location:

Whixley

Comments

Keep out more building.Turn it into a green space>I am a car driver but would and do happily keep out of Cliffords Tower car park

Name:

Raymond MALLET

Location:

F-Suresnes

Comments

History and Art cannot be appropriated in the sole object of making more profit.

Name:

Jordan

Location:

York

Comments

This is a case of the people in power not listening to the people that they represent.

Name:

Ian Webster

Location:

Leeds

Comments

Follow the money. See who will be getting money when contracts are awarded and as in most cases you will find a link back to the people in the council.

Its always the case, take a very long and close look at the Barbican development and simply follow the money.

Name:

Ann Holt

Location:

York

Comments

The surroundings of the castle area of York at the moment are a disgrace, almost as if the council wanted people to think that anything, even a boring seventies-style shopping centre, would be preferable. What it needs is some sympathetic landscaping so that Cliffords Tower and the other buildings on the site can be enjoyed in a peaceful setting. But the real villains are English Heritage. We don't expect much aesthetic sense from our council, but until they betrayed the castle area we did from EH. Shame!

Name:

Robert M. Sandoval

Location:

Tempe, Arizona, USA

Comments

As an American I was fortunate enough to live in Cornwall for three years and visit the City of York. I plan return visits yearly, and it would be a tragedy to walk up to Clifford's castle as I remember it and see a shopping center. Americans and people from other countries visit England to see unspoiled historical sites. There is no excuse for the spoiling of Clifford's Tower. Greed seems to be motivator here. When we visit again, and Coppergate is there, you can be sure we will not shop there!

Name:

David Rubinstein

Location:

York

Comments

Name:

Heinz Beckmann

Location:

Altenberge, Germany

Comments

Name:

J A Richardson

Location:

Tennessee

Comments

My family are from York and I'm a Freeman of the City. I took an oath to protect and defend the city and believe that this includes defending against capitalists with no taste! This is a beautiful site and lovely because of the space around it. Keep it that way please.

Name:

Mark Webster

Location:

Nottingham

Comments

Don't do it, who needs another shopping mall ?

Name:

Erik Wessolleck

Location:

Muenster, Germany

Comments

It is important to protect historic buildings and landscapes, because they get fewer and they are a direct connection to european history.

Name:

vitaliy v

Location:

denver, u.s.a.

Comments

this is a historical landmark and we should not taint it's image with a shopping center, or something of that nature

Name:

Bob Edwards

Location:

York

Comments

We must prevent this municipal vandalism.

Name:

Jo Gilmore

Location:

Brighton, East Sussex

Comments

From the joint 'most profitable town in Britain for business', (Brighton, as claimed by Dun & Bradstreet) I say NO to the development - we wouldn't want it in historic parts of Brighton and it shouldn't happen in York. And York has far more history!

Name:

B.Lightfoot

Location:

Grimsby

Comments

Don`t let your City be run by nobody but the people, stop modern development around clifford tower or you will end up like my town, new buildings, no charactor, no past, all pulled down by big business and weak councils, who now bemoan what has happened, all to late, no heritage left for our children.

Name:

tim sander

Location:

leeds

Name:

Mark Jubb

Location:

Bishopthorpe, York

Comments

Let's not shoot ourselves in the foot! We have a beautiful city; full of history, character and a vibrancy that many other cities are envious of. WE ARE UNIQUE.

Please do not allow them to make York into a faceless shopping Mall that could be found anywhere else within the UK.

Keep the few green bits of York 'green'.

Please remind the so called 'developers' of the sign of the English archers of Agincourt.

Name:

Jayne Jubb

Location:

Bishopthorpe, York

Comments

Don't do it.

nuff said.

Name:

Bob Hutchinson

Location:

YORK

Comments

People come to our City to see the history, not the shops, and this is a great oppotunity to put a "green lung" right in the centre.

Name:

Chris Benney

Location:

York

Comments

The area next to Clifford's Tower should not be defaced by this shopping mall against our wishes. It would be better if Old York could have a "Central Park" like New York.

Name:

Constance Faust

Location:

Lake Havasu City, Arizona, USA     

Comments

I am originally from Barnsley, Yorkshire. Visted York in 1994 when my daughter and I went to celebrate her 21 st. birthday. York Minster was the highlight of our visit. My daughter in awe when inside the Cathedral looking as the wonderful works of art.

Name:

jools

Location:

Bedale N. Yorks

Comments

Good grief.......I don't live in York but have spent a lot of time there over the years. I love York and all it's heritage...........don't let some of it be swallowed up in yet another shopping arcade!!!There doesn't seem to be any justification for this developement...it doesn't seem to be needed and,certainly by the comments I have read on this site, definitely not wanted..............

Name:

Pete Schofield

Location:

Barnsley S.Y.

Comments

Would, I wonder, The Government allow such a thing if it were - say - the Tower of London? I think not!

Name:

Lottie Alexander

Location:

YORK

Comments

Go to Leeds, Sheffield , Newcastle or Manchester for shopping 'malls' - we really don't need them in an historic city where a great number of shops lie empty anyway. There was a beautiful scheme proposed in which there was a park and the skyline of buildings were remniscent of a medieval scene. Where has that gone? I saw a photograph the other day before the building of Fenwicks. The Tower was the prominent building - this is as it should be. Fenwicks is a blot at this site - we can't have any more. Forget making money, dear City of York Council, and instead take pride in your city - think of the legacy you will leave behind you of future slums if you sell out now.

Name:

Andy Steele

Location:

Birkenhead, Wirral

Comments

Why do the City's leaders think people like me come to York as a tourist? In two words...History and Culture. This ridiculous plan will only serve to alienate the thousands of visitors who come back time and time again. Exactly who is demanding this development? Don't try to tell me that it is the genuine long term and regular visitor who provides so much of the city's existing income. Secondly, it is a site of tremendous significance to Jews as it serves as a stark reminder that murderous anti-semitism was and is not confined to mainland Europe. As encouragement to those fighting these plans the authorities backed down on a similar plan in Poland when developers tried to build a commercial centre next door to Auschwitz.

Name:

EDWARD NUTTALL

Location:

LITTLE EGG HARBOR, NJ USA

Comments

DEVELOPMENT IS ALL ABOUT MONEY. THE PERSUIT OF MONEY IS THE ROOT OF ALL EVIL. DEFEAT EVIL, CREATE A PUBLIC NATURE RESERVE/PARK OUT OF THE AREA SURROUNDING CLIFFORD'S TOWER AND PRESERVE IT FOREVER.

Name:

Mary Clarke

Location:

Dublin, Ireland

Comments

We enjoyed our visit to Historical York and wish to voice our objection to the building of a Shopping Mall in the vicinity of Clifford's Tower.

Name:

Charles R. Alexander

Location:

Sebastian Fl USA

Comments

Originally a Yorkshireman from Hull, I have the fondest memories of the Great City of York going back to the war years when I was evacuated to the York area . It appears that the American mindset has crossed the Atlantic and the virus has latched on to the British Builder....... Over here they can't seem to throw down enough concrete, and then the people who move into these new communities complain about the "wild " animals that frequent they're back yards, the alligators and couguars etc, so they pick up the phone and call the "wildlife /consevation" people to pick up these animals and have them destroyed, this kind of thing just makes my blood boil . No you don't have the 'gators and the panthers etc but you have a beauty which should be left alone. Thanks for letting me "sound off"!

Name:

Charles R. Alexander

Location:

Sebastian Fl USA

Comments

Originally a Yorkshireman from Hull, I have the fondest memories of the Great City of York going back to the war years when I was evacuated to the York area . It appears that the American mindset has crossed the Atlantic and the virus has latched on to the British Builder....... Over here they can't seem to throw down enough concrete, and then the people who move into these new communities complain about the "wild " animals that frequent they're back yards, the alligators and couguars etc, so they pick up the phone and call the "wildlife /consevation" people to pick up these animals and have them destroyed, this kind of thing just makes my blood boil . No you don't have the 'gators and the panthers etc but you have a beauty which should be left alone. Thanks for letting me "sound off"!

Name:

Lynne Hackett

Location:

Yorkshire

Comments

I had no idea that Clifford's Tower was in such danger - are we so careless of our history that we are prepared to destroy it?

These vandals must be stopped! Another shopping centre is NOT what we need - culture and history is the glue that sticks our society together, not shopping.

Name:

Andy D'Agorne

Location:

York

Comments

I moved to York two years ago, in part because I was attracted to a place with impressive architecture. It seems such a shame to miss this opportunity to follow the example of our predecessors who donated public parks and spaces like Museum Gardens to 'the people of York'. I like the plans that keep the views across to the Foss rather than fencing it in with high buildings as if it were just an inconvenience. Put our city before short term profit!

Name:

Eric Walton

Location:

Whyalla S. Australia

Comments

Preserve this lovely piece of Yorkshire history nearly 800 years old. Don't spoil the ship for a ha'peth of tar. Lived 40 years in leeds.

Name:

Julie Faries

Location:

Holly Springs Mississppi USA

Comments

I visited Cliffords tower in 1996. Please dont do this!!! Your country is so fortunate to have the wonderful ancient monuments and daily reminders of such a heritage, no where on earth can compare!!

There is nothing as non descript nor non aesthetic as a shopping mall. Keep them out of that area of York. When one steps on the narrow streets with the buildings leaning overhead, its like going back in time. That hwhole area is incredible!

Do like we Americans do. Build your malls in the suburbs or the outside of the city common. !!!

Julie Faries

Name:

Canuck-Pen

Location:

B.C. Canada

Comments

Please add my name to your petition as I feel that they should leave the tower alone...Greed and a closed mind is not the answer to this BAD IDEA.

Name:

Catherine Meekin

Location:

Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, U.S.A.

Comments

I have visited Clifford's Tower several times,and would hate to think of modern commercialisation and development ruining that wonderful, historic place. Please don't let this happen. My first visit to England was in 1978 when I fell deeply in love with its marvelous sites of antiquity and history. On subsequent visits, I have been dismayed to see the changes brought about in the name of "progress". I realize a certain amount of change is necessary, but it is time to realize that once these fine, historical sites are gone, they are GONE. Please preserve Clifford Tower and its surrounding area. Thank you.

Name:

Paul Webster

Location:

Richardson St, York

Comments

This development is ill-planned. There should be a green space between the Tower and the River Foss; also the centre of York does not need the additional car parking in the proposed multi-storey on Piccadilly as this will generate increased traffic and disincentivize public transport and park & ride. Also, the centre of York doesn't need more luxury flats, which are usually bought as holiday homes; some social housing should be included.

Name:

Steve

Location:

York

Comments

We dont need it! its a joke

Name:

Cllr.David Wilde

Location:

York

Comments

I was one of two councillors on Planning Committee voting against the proposals on grounds of very poor quality of architecture for buildings proposed opposite and adjacent to the tower. This, despite Local Plan insisting on requirement for development here to be of outstanding design.

Name:

Clare Harrison

Location:

York

Comments

Turn the place in to a park, not a shoping centre. Stonegate Walk (another shopping centre in York which failed and was sold off to property developers), did not work, so what makes the developers/Council think Coppergate II will fare any better?

Name:

Judith Hecker

Location:

Münster (Germany)

Comments

I spent three wonderful months in York while attending a summer course at the university. It was really the best time in my life and I am very concerned about the news from there. The historic flair and special atmosohere of that unique place has to be preserved!

Name:

Bob Appleyard

Location:

Western Australia

Comments

The proposal put foreward by York planners is another nail in the city's coffin. Just leave it and the surrounding area alone.

Name:

Madge Dresser

Location:

Bristol

Comments

This is a short-sighted development which will not in the long term reflect well on those who sponsor it. This is a site of world-wide significance one which if fostered could further enhance the tourist appeal of York, particularly in the US market. It is a site which school pupils in the UK, now committed to learning about what citizenship entails, need to see. In the climate of growing European Anti-semitism, the altering of this site to accommodate a commercial shopping development is an act of the grossest insensitivity and one which will ultimately backfire.. So on commercial grounds, aesthetic grounds, not to mention ethical grounds, I urge planners to reconsider their decision.

Madge Dresser School of History University of the West of England

Name:

David Ashley

Location:

Leeds

Comments

Name:

Cedric Damoiseau

Location:

France

Comments

Je souhaite la sauvegarde et la protection de ce haut lieu de la mémoire normande et de la mémoire juive en Angleterre.

Name:

Rayah Feldman

Location:

London, England

Name:

Charlotta Colliander Golding

Location:

Brussels

Comments

Having lived in York for over a year and being married to a York man with strong roots to his city I can only say STOP THIS MISTAKE NOW! York has more than enough shopping centres and will be one huge Wal-Mart soon if you don't come to your senses over there. I'm Swedish and us Swedes always think of England as a country where you can visit interesting historical sites that people are proud of. Please let us keep this image of you. If we wanted US style shopping centres, we would go to the US, not Yorkshire!

Name:

R.A.Appleyard

Location:

Western Australia

Comments

May I appeal to the recipient to stop this mindless, careless and thoughtless proposal.

Name:

Joy Appleyard

Location:

S.W. Australia

Comments

I was introduced to Cliffords Tower and it's environs by my husband many years ago and found a sense of peace there. Please stop this appalling proposal.

Name:

Lorna Warren

Location:

Sheffield

Comments

Consumerism gone mad.

Name:

Stella-Anne Jackson

Location:

York

Comments

The desecration of York's most important historical site should not be allowed!

Name:

Kurzmann

Location:

Austria

Comments

Sandra Smith from Australia said what I'd say. So please read her statement (3 entries before). I'm totally her opinion.

Name:

Andrew Macdonald

Location:

Ottawa, Canada

Comments

Name:

Ian Travers

Location:

Maryland, USA

Comments

I finished studying in York last september and I'm astounded to see that they're still even contemplating this! I'm an English archaeologist, so maybe I'm biassed, but I spend all day watching my American work-mates pore over 18th century glass. There are numerous other opportunities for commercial growth so why damage one of the biggest attractions that York has to offer? Surely tourism is THE money-maker.

Name:

Keith Henson

Location:

Doncaster

Comments

As a one time resident and 'York-o-phile' I was horrified to learn of this new development. Surley the city has enough shops to cater for most needs. If not, then is it neccesary to infringe on such an historic area.

Name:

Adam Single

Location:

Reading

Comments

As a son of York I am ashamed that its council has seemingly leapt at the offer of a few quid from Land Securities (towards more public transport) at the price of squandering one of its most celebrated heritage resources. York Tomorrow's scheme offered further improvement of the site vista and amenity but this has been apparantly forced out of the running by a low piece of planning chicanery.

One of the Council for British Archaeology's recommendations for the new combined PPG15 and 16 (planning guidance) is that it place more value on historic settings, character, landscapes etc. Unfortunately it may be too late for Clifford's Tower to benefit from such a holistic view of our heritage. York is unique but another multistorey shopping mall will push it a little further down the road that is turning all our towns into anonymous, identikit, consumer precincts.

Name:

Miriam Moss

Location:

Leeds, UK

Comments

The lessons of history should not be subdued by modern necessities. After all, there is no evidence that we have understood the link between memorial and change. We have much to do still.

Name:

Peter Millward

Location:

Hong Kong

Name:

Peter Millward

Location:

Hong Kong

Name:

Rachel

Location:

London

Comments

This is the most insensitive idea I've heard in years. The thought of building a shopping mall on the site of such a horrific act is abhorrent.

Name:

Lisa Blanckenhagen

Location:

London

Comments

I am really shocked to have heard about this proposed shopping mall on such a hostorically sensitive site. I truly hope that the weight of this petition will lend a hand to stopping this thoughtless development.

Name:

Philip Gimmack

Location:

London

Comments

I have visited York and this memorial many times.On occasion purely to show others this memorial.

It is laughable that for over nine hundread years this has stood prominently as a reminder of the intollerances in society and it may now give way in prominence to a shopping centre.

To obscure from view and overshadow this monument ( as per the plans) would be a desecration of massive proportions and those that propose this should be ashamed that the weights of their pockets have outweighed that of their consciences

Memorials such as this MUST be prominent and not impinged by other buildings especially those of base consumerism as it would completely undermine its status

Name:

Paul Willowfield

Location:

London

Comments

I just sold my shares in Land Securities you greedy,insensitive b*******

To the Directors:

When you were at school did you dream of taking the pride from a whole City

&

The respect from a 1000 year old monument

A monument reminding us : of man's inhumanity against man

IF you would like to contact Land Securities:

London 5 Strand London WC2N 5AF

Tel: 020 7413 9000 Fax: 020 7925 0202 Email: landsecurities@landsecurities.com

Name:

Michelle Mazzocco

Location:

Maryland, USA

Comments

The importance Clifford's Tower and surrounding historic district hold for the identity of York is not being given enough attention. The planned development is not an effective way of creating much-needed revitalisation in the city centre.

Name:

Peter Rice

Location:

Barnsley, UK

Comments

To allow this monument to be obscured by the shopping development would be a crime. It is one of the major medieval monuments of the city.

Name:

Chris Flanagan

Location:

York

Comments

I do not feel the proposed shopping mall on the area around Clifford's Tower is appropriate, I think a more appropriate use of the site would be to develop it as a garden area.

Name:

K.F.E. Standring

Location:

Epsom, Surrey

Comments

It would impinge on the spiritual significance of the site on which Clifford's Tower stands, as a reminder of the existence and potential consequences of religious and racial intolerance. The scale of the proposed development would inappropriately dominate a very historic area of York, whilst using materials that would be out of keeping with the existing buildings.

Name:

J. & E. Sharples

Location:

York, England

Comments

We agree that the threat of legal expenses being charged to the movement against the proposal for the shopping development at Clifford's Tower is totally outrageous. The fact that we, as council tax payers of the city, should be expected to pay for something with which we so strongly disagree is diabolical. We can only hope that justice will prevail in the face of such opposition to the proposed development.

Name:

Louis-Luc Le Guerrier

Location:

Montréal (Québec) CANADA

Comments

Green spaces and historic buildings must never be turned into ugly malls with asphalt and parking lots.

Instead, take an existing ugly car road or parking lot to make a pedestrian mall. This is a proof of intelligence from the human being that makes development for people on legs with the ecosystem.

DON'T LET THE CAR OR CAR-CENTRIC DEVELOPMENT OF ANY KIND TAKE ONE MORE SQUARE CENTIMETRE OF OUR LAND. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!

Name:

Simon Baddeley

Location:

Birmingham

Comments

Cities must be centres of retail in a post-industrial age but please don't forget that one of the things you must retail is a sense of place - not just object for material consumption. Blight people's sense of place and you blight their future for years. Get it right and you can do the opposite. Have a care for your genius locii! Remember too that a city exists in people's minds as well as in their direct experience. Damage part of York and you damage people's idea of the place - as damage to a place of beauty you may never visit like parts of Afghanistan or Ankor Wat - cause hurt across a far wider population than those of actual visitors, whose behaviour they will nonetheless influence.

Name:

bill norman

Location:

calgary alberta

Comments

The charm of places like St. Ives on the coast and York is that the streets are narrow not allowing car traffic and their is not load of McDonalds or Burger King logos splattered all over the landscape.

Name:

Lucille Stiffler

Location:

Dallas, Tx, USA

Comments

You are in danger of becoming just like Dallas- boring and stupid. The choice is in your hands.

Name:

Robert Castle Gay

Location:

Tucson Arizona US

Comments

Here in the southwest of the US we have our own version of tlrying to keep greedy developers from desecrating both historically important sites, and the spectacular desert environment which nourishes us, so we sympathize with the goal of preserving the space around Clifford's Tower. Commercial opportunities do need to be made available to developers, but only with conditions attached which maintain the integrity of architectural history so clearly valued by ALMOST everyone whose life it's touched. (Though our family has spent a couple of generations in North America, our roots are in Cornwall, and I'm pround of the family name CASTLE, having given the name to my first son, whom I hope to have experience at least a few of the castles of the British Isles in his lifetime.) Please consider and preserve the uniqueness which stands to be irrevocably damaged if this project is built as planned, and be creative in setting conditions for controlled and sensitive development and evolution of your amazing and unique city. Thanks for your consideration, and know that there are a lot of us out here interested in this issue!

Name:

Amanda Peck

Location:

Waynesboro, TN, USA

Comments

A few years back I read an essay somewhere about the future of the shopping mall. Not much, unless it could become a sort of city center on its own. This project sounds more like a bilk the tourists routine, guaranteed to fail after five or ten years, to become a scary wasteland.

I've been in a few of those. Scary wasteland is an appropriate phrase.

Even the massive Opryland turned shopping mall is fighting for tenants. The discount places across the street are all but empty.

Name:

Fred Elbel

Location:

USA/Planet Earth

Comments

www.EcoFuture.org is a website dedicated to sustainability issues. As the owner, I must say that it is clear that blatant disregard for cultural heritage in favor of commercialism is one of the byproducts of our misguided age.

As a society, we owe future generations this legacy. Every effort should be expended to preserve this area against commercial development.

Sincerely,

Fred Elbel

Name:

rebeckah

Location:

aubertin

Comments

what an ill planned and unfair event this is- i hope the people triumph and can be a powerful ally for themselves

Name:

Peter duPre

Location:

Poulsbo, WA USA

Comments

As an expat Brit I realize that the island is full of old castles and momuments. It is part of what makes Britain, Britain. These sites are a part of our sacred trust and shouldn't be knocked down to install condos, shoppings malls, amusement parks and the like.

I say keep the tower. There is little left of Britain before William. Let's not start losing what's left of our heritage after William.

Name:

Susan Maxwell

Location:

Colorado, USA

Comments

Shopping Malls can be built anywhere. Why tear down something that is irreplaceable?

Name:

Donnell Jakobs

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

Comments

I lived in Harrogate, N. Yorkshire for 19 years and always enjoyed the beauty of the City of York. To build another shopping center would only increase the heavy burden of parking problems already present in the city. To destroy one of the few intact areas of historical importance, to blight the city with yet another unnecessary shopping area is reprehensible. The city would do better to combat the problem of flooding from the Ouse, rather than to build another shopping failure and further destroy the ambiance of this wonderful city.

Name:

Catherine Hicks

Location:

Denver, CO, USA

Comments

I have had the great honor of visting Great Britan and spent time in York. I found it to be a delightful city, and full of historical and cultural significance.

I am planning another visit in June 2003, and would really hate to see this city spoiled by a modern shopping mall.

Thank you for the chance to voice an opinion.

Name:

Lorna Kent

Location:

USA Colorado

Comments

I have visited the area only once, but I am concerned about ill-advised developement in a historical area of this magnatude. This is like putting a shopping mall in Mesa Verde. You have so much to treasure, we have so little.

Name:

Pam

Location:

Comments

Name:

Pam Thorley

Location:

Qld. Australia

Comments

Cliffords Tower should be held as sacred. NO shopping centre or development of ANY nature should be allowed to infringe on its surrounds. The possibility of any damage being caused, regardless of how miniscule, must be avoided at all costs. This damage must not just be physical, but spiritual and historical also. I have wonderful memories of visiting this area when I was still a resident of my home, Yorkshire. The atmosphere here is magic and should be preserved.

Name:

Nina Steele

Location:

Beaumaris, Wales

Comments

As someone working in heritage management I find it hard to understand why York City Council is willing to sacrifice the open space around Clifford's Tower and the contribution to a sense of place which it provides. To dwarf Clifford's Tower with a large commercial development that will so significantly affect the setting seems sacrilege when so many of us strive to protect our cultural heritage.

Name:

Lynn Davies

Location:

Selby

Comments

Why would anyone want to deface our beautiful city????

Name:

RL Goldstein

Location:

New York, NY USA

Comments

Please preserve this historic treasure and its surroundings. Do not allow the development of a shopping centre to spoil it. Please do what is right, not what is profitable for the few.

Thank you!

Name:

Jonathan Tyler

Location:

York

Comments

I spent many hours at the Inquiry on behalf of York Tomorrrow. Quite apart from the sheer unacceptability of the shopping mall, I was appalled at the Council's arrogance in believing that it has a monopoly of wisdom in planning and traffic. Their barristers repeatedly implied that it was presumptuous of me and other witnesses to be querying Council expertise and decisions. Stop it !

Name:

Dr. Charles Allen

Location:

Oakland, CA

Comments

Name:

Alan Beal

Location:

Leeds

Comments

It would be wanton vandalism to have a shopping mall at Clifford's Tower. It should be preserved and protected as it is. We do not want any ugly commercialism spoiling the historic beauty of York. If money is needed it should be available from the Lottery. They give money to many very doubtful causes. Here is one that very worthwhile.

Name:

Brian Mills

Location:

Vancouver, Canada

Comments

With my family I travelled a great distance to visit York this summer. I visited your city because it is unique.

There is nothing unique about a shopping mall. Nothing attractive. Nothing to enhance your city.

Don't let this be your tawdry legacy. You can do better.

Name:

Mark Sealey

Location:

Valencia CA

Comments

I too live in the USA, and am from Yorks.

Stop the nonsense. Save what's worth saving. Good luck!

Name:

Agnes Keiser

Location:

Pennsylvania, USA

Name:

Bob Matthews

Location:

Hamilton, Ontario Canada

Comments

I have happy memories of visiting this area as a child growing up in York and I am appalled that the City could envision this in the name of crass commercialism. We have enough of that on this side of the pond. I urge the City to reconsider. RM

Name:

Lee Davidson

Location:

Leeds

Name:

Lee Davidson

Location:

Leeds 6

Comments

This development is entirely inappropriate so close to a major historical site, and will ruin a very special place in York.

Name:

Christine Giblin

Location:

Australia

Comments

Clifford's Tower and the surrounding area should not be forfieted for more shops. There is surely another area that yet more stores could be placed. Tourism to Clifford's Tower and the Castle Museum put be jeapordised because tourists go to York for the history experience - if they want to go shopping then they will go to Leeds/Manchester/Newcastle. Please do not change the the environment in one of York's most treasured areas.

Name:

Gini Otway

Location:

New York

Comments

The area around Clifford's Tower should be left alone.

Name:

Clare Rickell

Location:

Sydney, Australia

Comments

How can they possibly do this to such a beautiful City, I have no idea what goes on is some peoples head, just money I suppose. I came over to York 4 years ago and was appalled what they had done then to Paliment St. what a diasaster that was, can they not realize that York is so historical that this should be left alone and NOT try and make it modern, how do they expect people to park when parking is so bad in York anyway people would just park in the shopping parking and the real shoppers would end up with no where to park. Once ruined never to go back, look what they did when the tore down parts of the bar walls so now theres only bits to walk along, that can never be put back, it part of Englands history and that should stay in tact. This will stop people from visiting York, why would they want to come and see a shopping centre in tha background of the pictures what a disaster this would be they should be shot these developers and council should be hung, drawn and quartered to even entertain the idea.

Name:

rev.d j. petty

Location:

burnley,lancs..

Comments

As a regular visitor to York I feel dismayed at the thought of your proposed development in the vicinity of Clifford,s Tower. It would be an act of sheer bad taste verging on vandalism!

Name:

TRACY ELLIS

Location:

YORK

Comments

The beauty of the Castle Museum / Cliffords Tower site is that in a built up area it is a mini oasis of greenery. To develop further in this location will detract both from the beauty and the sense of tranquility that this monument deserves. It is a site of pilgrimage to many members of the general public and Jewish community and should not be encroached upon by a commercial eyesore. Surely on a site regarded by many as a memorial to the Jewish community of York and their strength of belief such an unsympathetic proposal should not have made it past the initial application stage.

York City Council claim to be a "user driven" authority with a high level of resident consultation yet the fact that this proposal has progressed so far makes a mockery of this claim.

It's time for them to prove their claims, hold a residents consultation ballot and act upon the peoples wishes not the accountants!!

Name:

Dinda Evans

Location:

San Diego, CA

Comments

We need to preserve all the natural beauty we can & to allow future generations to view historic sites as they were- not in the middle of malls, etc.

Name:

Liza Rameryd

Location:

Washington, DC

Comments

I'm a concerned Swede with strong ties to York and Yorkshire. Please do not build a tacky shopping center at Clifford's Tower! I see horrid examples in this country with all their strip malls and huge indoor shopping malls. Do people really need another shopping center? I'm sure people in York have enough shopping opportunities at the malls outside the city and in the little shops in York itself. I visit friends every autumn and love to walk thru York and get my yearly dose of history (and I mean old history) and atmosphere of this lovely city. What's next! Getting rid of my favorite tea room (Betty's) and putting in a fast food place instead! Oh please no!

Name:

Liza Rameryd

Location:

Washington, DC

Comments

I'm a concerned Swede with strong ties to York and Yorkshire. Please do not build a tacky shopping center at Clifford's Tower! I see horrid examples in this country with all their strip malls and huge indoor shopping malls. Do people really need another shopping center? I'm sure people in York have enough shopping opportunities at the malls outside the city and in the little shops in York itself. I visit friends every autumn and love to walk thru York and get my yearly dose of history (and I mean old history) and atmosphere of this lovely city. What's next! Getting rid of my favorite tea room (Betty's) and putting in a fast food place instead! Oh please no!

Name:

Alan Harris

Location:

Todmorden

Comments

Another bit of old England to be hidden.Much has happened here - a place for reflection and even bearing in mind its history - prayer - to be submerged. What sort of people would we be if we silently allowed this?

Name:

Alan Harris

Location:

Todmorden

Comments

Another bit of old England to be hidden.Much has happened here - a place for reflection and even bearing in mind its history - prayer - to be submerged. What sort of people would we be if we silently allowed this?

Name:

Barry Hall

Location:

Florida, USA

Comments

Why stop at Clifford's Tower? The Minster would make a great indoor market. The Gates impede traffic. The walls serve no useful purpose. The streets are too narrow. Insanity and vandalism are alive and living in the council chambers at York. Rise up you citizens, the future of your beautiful city is under threat. If you let them get away with this nothing will be safe.

Name:

Neil R Brooke

Location:

LEEDS W. YORKS

Comments

An unecessary development.

Name:

Andy Beck

Location:

Morley, Leeds

Comments

I am an ex-pat York resident, having grown up in the City. I oppose the proposed development of the shopping mall.

Name:

Valerie L.

Location:

Wisconsin, U.S.A.

Comments

Whatever next! Money, money that is what it's all about unfortunately. I was born in Hull and raised in Harrogate and have fond memories of trips to York. Who on earth wants another shopping mall! You visit York for history because there is so much of it in every twist and turn. The Shambles, the Minster and both the Museum and the Railroad Museum, the Wall around the city and Clifford's Tower. No leave this famous piece of history alone. A shopping mall will create more litter, more cars! Do not deface this beautiful city with such an atrocity!

Name:

Paul Whitehead

Location:

Australia

Comments

Born and bred in York and believe that some things from the past must remain from progress. There are enough shops in York to satisfy shoppers. York is one of the most historic beautiful towns in the world, leave it that way.

Name:

Diane Carter

Location:

Gisborne, New Zealand

Comments

I cannot believe the City Council can even consider this invasion of an historic building. Haven't they learned anything from the disastrous building of the 60s, just look at the monstrosities in Petergate and Goodramgate. What has the Civic Trust done about it. People don't go to York to shop but to look at history.

Name:

Diane Carter

Location:

Gisborne, New Zealand

Comments

I cannot believe the City Council can even consider this invasion of an historic building. Haven't they learned anything from the disastrous building of the 60s, just look at the monstrosities in Petergate and Goodramgate. What has the Civic Trust done about it. People don't go to York to shop but to look at history.

Name:

jackie clayton (nee Whitehead)

Location:

australia

Comments

Growing up in York until my family emigrated in 1965, I have many happy memories of the area around Cliffords Tower. The Museum the Law Courts (seeing the lawyers in all their red robes), the daffodils. Why on earth do people try and destroy unique historical sites, o.k. they are not going to pull the tower down but to build more shopping malls around that area is revolting. I have had the chance in 1989 of once again seeing York and its beauty. I brought my Aussie husband and 2 teenage children - they thought it was a wonderful place - I can remember the children running up the steps to the top of Cliffords Tower. Please find somewhere else to build the mall which eventually all become tired looking in an area that is not so sensative. Thankyou Jackie Clayton

Name:

Alison Morgan

Location:

York

Comments

The council claims a new mall full of chainstores will increase tourism. So why do people from all over the world come to York instead of Leeds?

Name:

Andrea Landwehr

Location:

USA

Comments

I think it would be a terrible thing to disrupt such a beautiful reminder of the past. What is the world coming to? No one cares about remembering where we came from? No one wants to show our children how we lived in the past? What a sad, sad thing. My mother was born in England and I have family there. We visit as often as possible and when we're their, I can't get enough of the beautiful countryside. Especially the wonderful artifacts of the past. It would be a shame to defile this wonderful glimpse of the past!

Name:

Kathryn Elseman

Location:

Omaha NE USA

Comments

Name:

Ray Ironmonger

Location:

Shrewsbury

Comments

I am proud to be York Born, and this proposal is unbelieveable will the city planners ever learn? We have had to bear the monstrosity of Stonebow all these years and now this suggestion! There is a smell of stinking fish here.Someone is on the take.

Name:

Wendy Brawer

Location:

NYC

Name:

Yaelle Pazzy

Location:

NYC

Comments

I've been to Clifford's Tower when I visited York two years ago. I was deeply moved by what had happened there. Please don't destroy history.

Name:

K. Mouchly

Location:

California, USA

Comments

And I believed the Brits respected history. Please leave Clifford Tower alone. Another shopping mall won't make any difference but keeping this historic site for future generations will.

Name:

Pat Roberts

Location:

ChCh, New Zealand

Comments

To destroy such buildings as Clifford's Tower is to destroy a vital part of history and to deprive future generations of the priviledge of being able to see for themselves what people went through all those years ago. For what - a shopping mall. Hasn't York got enough shops. . There were enough 25 years ago so surely must be more than enough now. One would have to say this is a hidden agenda for the councillors and they do not have the welfare of the city at heart but more personal gain in the form of noterity etc. Not everyone who visits York wants to spend their days in shops. Give the councillors a vote of no confidence - most of them are corrupt anyway.

Name:

Tony Haffenden

Location:

KuwaitCity

Comments

Though currently living in Kuwait I am a houseowner in York and will return.

Just what the city needs - another bloody shopping centre !! For once let heritage, culture and history prevail over the greed of a few "here today, gone tomorrow" men.

Name:

Paul Temperton

Location:

London (born in East Yorkshire)

Comments

A shopping mall is the last thing York needs. What all cities do need is as much open and green space as possible.

Name:

Paul & Dawn Gretton

Location:

Gisborne, New Zealand

Comments

We recently visited Clifford's Tower and would be horrified to think the open space around the tower could be desecrated by building development.

Name:

Paul & Pat Robinson

Location:

Plymouth, Devon, UK

Comments

We were both brought up in the Walmgate area of York attending St Georges and St Lawrence's schools respectively and are horrified to hear of the proposed development. Have the York planners gone mad?

Name:

Jonathan Lewis

Location:

Leeds

Comments

This is an important historical site. There must be better places for a shopping centre

Name:

Ilana Voloshin

Location:

Slovenia

Comments

United Kingdom is a big country, so please find a place for a mall that is not a history, that is not a heritage.

Name:

Dan Soler

Location:

Seattle USA

Comments

no amount of prosperity will ever justify the loss of culture to present and future generations. i live in a place where progress was chosen in favor of culture, and wouldn't wish that on any other city.

Name:

Dominic Robinson

Location:

Boroughbridge

Comments

Use the opportunity to make the area about Clifford's Tower truly special. The last thing anyone needs is more shops.

Name:

John Robinson

Location:

Plymouth

Comments

Leave it be, ya buggers!

Name:

Richard Hodgson

Location:

Scarborough

Comments

Architectural pornography !

Name:

Location:

Comments

I don't have a particular view on the massacre of jews, since the nation of isreal has no particular qualms against killing all non-zionists. I do have a negative view of allowing Wal-Mart the unlimitted right(s) to build store(s) wherever they want. Since I am not a Brittish citizen I realize my view is relatively unimportant, I still claim that Wal-Mart is EVIL. Since evil is a force beyond personal\corporate choice this corporation should be stopped on every civic and religious(WE HATE EVIL don't we?)front. Perhaps a war against Iraq would help. In the interim, preventing Wal-Mart from destroying one more community might be a worthwhile project.

Name:

Joan Lockwood

Location:

Brisbane, Australia

Comments

Historic buildings are priceless enhancements of the environment. They are simply unique and irreplaceable. Lets not sell our souls for profit, eh!! Find somewhere already horrible to develop. Or better still, knock down some awful manifestation of modern so-called architecture. But leave the ancient stuff alone. We need beauty and history. We can do without soulless developers.

Name:

Andy Robson

Location:

London

Comments

As a former resident of York I am personally appalled by this plan.

As a history graduate and former student of - among other things - Clifford's Tower, I can confirm that this structure and its wider environs is of national and international cultural and historic importance.

Name:

Martyn Clayton

Location:

York

Comments

Name:

Ian Hale

Location:

South Africa

Comments

This is a ridiculous idea.

Surely the history of York should be the draw card.

Move the mall out of the centre. As it is you are restricted to drive into York, it has been discouraged by the council for years.

Someone is sleeping or making a lot of money!

Name:

Jack Brezina

Location:

Ontario, Canada

Comments

Heritage structures must be preserved. Surely there are other locations near motorways or on the outskirts of the city where this type of development would be more suitable. Keep up the fight, because once its gone there will be no getting it back.

Name:

Albert Bond

Location:

America.

Comments

Have many times past through and stayed in the City of York and before moving to the U.S. spent many day's in York. It certainly would be a shame to let the heritage of the area be desicrated, do all you can to retain the past, and allow no changes for posterity.

Name:

Jonathan and Marilyn Balcombe

Location:

Washington, DC, USA

Comments

Dear Sir/Madam,

We write to express our sincere hope that a proposal to develop a shopping mall opposite the site of Cliffords Tower in York does NOT happen. My parents live in York and we will be moving there next year to be closer to them. We visited Cliffords Tower in late April and were enchanted by its beauty and history. We highly value York for its efforts to preserve the historical spirit and flavor that make it one of England's most attractive places to live.

Please don't spoil York's beauty and history with modern commercial development! Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Jonathan Balcombe, Ph.D. Marilyn Balcombe, Ph.D. Emily Balcombe (8 year old daughter).

Name:

Malcolm Wigglesworth

Location:

Scarborough

Comments

Stop this desecration of our heriatage. there is enough shopping in York without imposing this monstrosity (or any other development) on this delightfull part of York.

I will certainly never shop there is it opens. I shop out of town then visit the city for its beauty, not its concrete

Name:

David Andrews

Location:

Leicester

Comments

As an itinerant Yorkshireman now doinf missionary work in Leicestershire I am appalled that Cliffi=ords Tower is threatened in this way. In my youth I spent many happy days exploring the glories of mediaeval York whilst my mother was working as a locum in the city. This building is part of the heritage not only of York, but also England and Britain. Desecration by modern development must not be allowed to take place.

Name:

chris hockley

Location:

switzerland

Comments

and the end of the day as that area is a labour constituncy (thats why i emmigrated and left york) and they will do what ever the developers tell them to do as they don t give a damn about what the voters think yorks heritage means nothing to them or the developers just money.

Name:

Graeme Thomas

Location:

14 Queens Court, Fetter Lane York YO1 6EH

Comments

This national monument must be preserved unecumbered by a modern architectural retail complex on its doorstep. This development must not proceed. How can sernsitive new developments be constructed at a time when existing retail space stands empty? Graeme Thomas

Name:

Karen Williams

Location:

Hong Kong

Comments

Every year when I go back home to visit my family in Yorkshire, we visit York. It would be a crime to see the landscape blotted.

Name:

David

Location:

Huddersfield

Comments

I visit York loads and think it would be a tragedy to spoil this beautiful piece of history.

Name:

Alan Hughes

Location:

Denmark

Comments

I was born and bred in York so I am well acquainted with the draconian methods of York Council. So they want to commence with phase two of Coppergate,this after all is what it is, and has been in the pipeline for years. Your approach is right to the campaign to bring adverse publicity to YCC and their handling of probably the most sensitive proposal since the building of the Minster.For YCC´s part, it all boils down to a fast buck and personal self prestige,Again! However, be prepared for a dirty fight in and out of legal avenues.An injuction could be in order and also sound out the archeoligists interest. My father was a building contracts manager in York in the 50`s and 60`s with the Stonebow House to his discredit and the Ambulance station on Toft Green. He told me the Council clerk of works told him to hide any remains found, which he did ,from Jewbury,as the YCC are really scared of sites being stopped by the archqies. As regard support, just tell me what to do.

Name:

Jenny

Location:

Elland, West Yorkshire

Comments

I love York and cliffords tower is where i used to love going up as a kid and it is a brilliant symbol of York, and meeting place. I dont know whats been going on lately but if its under threat then i will sign this!!.

Name:

mary broadhead

Location:

York

Comments

This project ia all about cash. Why won't the city council listen to what we the people of York want. Another nice green place for people to enjoy near the river Foss and what must be one of the best museums in the country It goes without saying how lucky we are to have the wonderful castle in the middle of the city I thought the modern idea was to move shops near to the outer ring road, Please leave the area near our castle alone, or make it into a park

Name:

Gordon Campbell-Thomas

Location:

York, England

Comments

We must stop this act of "cultural vandalism". If we are to bequeath to our children a city that reflects the rich tapestry of history, as well as giving them a quality of life, then at all costs we must not let this development go ahead

Name:

biff Appia

Location:

Ballard, Wa., USA

Comments

Here in the U.S. are history is extremely manufactured. You should set some form of example for your colonies, or are you. joy & rapture, -biff-

Name:

Kia Zak

Location:

Houston, Texas USA

Comments

I traveled around northern England and in Scotland for a month in 1997, with my "home base" in York. The news about the development of the area around the Tower is completely outrageous and unacceptable. York is in danger of destroying its irreplaceable uniquness and the very reason people like me love it so much.

Perhaps the best illustration of my contention is to describe where I live. Houston, Texas USA was founded in the 1830s. The five oldest homes have been moved to Sam Houston Park downtown and penned in like an architectural zoo. You wouldn't believe how many goregous structures and relics of our history have been destroyed or "modernized" beyond recognition. There is talk of tearing down the Astrodome, because they built a sparkling, expensive new stadium right next to it. The Astrodome is less than 40 years old. In Houston, basically, old is "bad", new is "good"...it's characterless, cracker-boxish and bland as oatmeal mush. And what surrounds the Alamo in San Antonio is another abomination which bears your consideration.

I would hate to see York become a series of "architectural zoos" surrounded by what I already live with every day. Take a tip from one who knows. You have a lot to be proud of, York. Please cherish it. Best wishes, Kia Zak luckydogzak@juno.com

Name:

J. Leaf

Location:

York

Comments

I came to live in York only a few years ago and thought that it was a city which respected its glorious heritage. I have been saddened and horrified to find out that the Council could not care less. The City of York Council has behaved disgracefully and undemocratically. Some of the Councillors and the Director of Development have conspired against the people of York and should have their heads put up on poles on Micklegate Bar for their crimes.

Name:

Rabbi Dr Jeremy Rosen

Location:

London & Antwerp

Comments

This is such a significant historical site internationally that obscuring it would be a serious act of historical vandalism I speak as Professor of Comparative Religion at the Faculty of Comparative Religion Antwerp Belgium.

Name:

Mark Campbell

Location:

Bradford, West Yorkshire

Comments

What is the point in destroying one of the finest buildings in Britain for the sake of commercialism?

These ancient monuments deserve to be preserved. It is unimaginable for any other buildings of this greatness to be vandalised in any other nation.

Name:

Kath Vicary

Location:

Barnsley South Yorkshire

Comments

We need Clifford's Tower. It's part of our Yorkshire heritage! These proposals are disgusting!

Name:

Chris

Location:

Saitama, Japan

Comments

Since when have town planners ever got it right? The last thing York needs is a place drawing customers away from the smaller local shops. who votes for this council anyway?

Name:

mrs. w. campbell

Location:

livingston

Comments

We are frequent visitors to York, and regard it as the most perfect place in Britain. It always calms us and recharges our batteries. Please do not change it!

Name:

Dr. Stephen C. Law

Location:

Oklahoma, USA

Comments

If anything typifies the English ethic (as opposed to the "American"), it is the reverence for the past. Surely the sanctity of the "ground zero" of the Harrowing of the North is worth preserving. Clifford's Tower is landmark of tremendous importance for the Anglo-Norman period. I have been to York twice to see it. Please do not profane the memory of the past by constructing a temple to capitalism in its very shadow. I would expect this from my countrymen, but not from the ancestral ground of England.

Dr. Stephen C. Law Professor of Humanities and Philosophy University of Central Oklahoma

Name:

Jane Warren

Location:

Yorktown, Virginia USA

Comments

I was in York just this May. The area surrounding Clifford's Tower is quiet compared to the rest of the city. It would be a shame to bring in more traffic and spoil what is left of the atmosphere of the original site.

Name:

Jonathan Bridgstock

Location:

Brisbane, Australia

Comments

I'm shocked and disgusted that this landmark is going to be treated in this way. Building a shopping centre is bound to cause immediate and possibly long term damage to the area.

I have visited York twice both times I resided for periods of over 3 months and Clifford's Tower is one of my most favourite landmarks.

The area should be kept as is, part of York's charm will be forever lost if this vandalism is allowed to take place. Tourism and history will suffer if this is allowed to happen.

Name:

Charles J. Niemoeller

Location:

Saint Louis, Missouri, USA

Comments

Dear Sirs,

I am writing in opposition to your plans to put a shopping center in a very historical area of York. Are there no other less sensitive areas the development could be put in? Please put sense and sensitivity above monetary rewards.

Thank you,

Charles J. Niemoeller

Name:

ian martin

Location:

lancaster

Comments

I edit http://www.spa.uk.net

We plugged the campaign last month; this month I'll flag up the petition page...good luck, IM

Name:

Ray Burrow

Location:

Spreyton, Devonshire

Comments

There's nothing new here. Land Securities have persuaded the planning authorities in the beautiful city of Exeter, Devonshire, to destroy views of the cathedral with a monstrous shopping complex that nobody wants. Keep up the good fight, York deserves better than this.

Name:

Gerard Hough

Location:

New York State - USA

Comments

Rampant consumerism is not the answer in the United Kingdom any more than it is the answer in the United States.

Please take a step back!

Re-evaluate the need for yet more commercial development / redevelopment in the Clifford's Tower, Coppergate area's of The City.

Name:

Tim Evans

Location:

Midlands

Comments

The last thing York appears to need is more shopping area. I was last in the city almost a year ago and was disturbed by the amount of shops that were empty and unused around the city. Having visited York each year for the last six years I can probably see the decline more obviously than the local people. The council is better advised in getting full occupation of existing premises before trying to destroy more of the city!

Name:

Jaime Lagunez

Location:

Mexico

Comments

All should be respectful of history and culture.

It is possible to offer the residents in a community pleasant sorroundings, we think that developments like that proposed here ruin the quality of life. We are suffering of the same in our city Cuernavaca: www.procasino.org

Name:

Pablo Gleason

Location:

Morelos, México

Comments

Apoyo su causa, el capital no debe imponerse nunca ante los intereses de los pueblos del mundo (su historia y su cultura). Sigan luchando compañeros, no tenemos otra opción más que resistir.

I support your cause, money interests should never be over the people interests in the world (history and culture). Keep fighting my friends, we have no other choice than resist.

Name:

Pablo Gleason

Location:

Morelos, México

Comments

Apoyo su causa, el capital no debe imponerse nunca ante los intereses de los pueblos del mundo (su historia y su cultura). Sigan luchando compañeros, no tenemos otra opción más que resistir.

I support your cause, money interests should never be over the people interests in the world (history and culture). Keep fighting my friends, we have no other choice than resist.

Name:

Henk 't Jong

Location:

Netherlands

Comments

I know York well and especially the castle area. It would be a crying shame to have it occupied by modern commerce. Please don't do this and keep York as beautiful as it used to be.

Name:

Frojmovic, Eva

Location:

3 Mount Gardens, Leeds LS17 7QN

Name:

Craig White

Location:

Grand rapids, MI USA

Comments

My wife and I recently made a trip to London with a side trip to York to see the Coppergate Viking exibit. The exibit itself was very cool, but what blew us away was the medieval feel of the city. The bars on the wall, the wall itself, the old world architecture, the incredible minster, and Cliffords Tower. We enjoyed the feel of the walled city so much that when we come to England next, we were planning on spending our week in York with side trips to other places- but a shopping mall would be a true hindrance on the atmosphere. Please reconsider and move the mall *out* of the walled part of the city. York is a treasure as it is, I encourage you to promote the assets you have, not diminish them.

Craig

Name:

Alana Burns

Location:

York, Yorkshire

Comments

I have always loved walking past Cliffords Tower on my way into town. Although the surrounding areas have been built up, it still stands grandly. I dont think the area should be disturbed anymore. Its part of the history or York and that is something that allows me to be proud to live here. Its part of Yorks identity and should be preserved.

Name:

Martin Benson

Location:

London

Comments

I've only seen the photos on the website, but it looks pretty unpromising. I admit that that area of York was perhaps a little run-down, but surely a park area around Clifford's Tower and the museum could be arranged?

Name:

davis gove

Location:

pocatello,idaho,usa

Comments

I have never been to York or even out of the country but plan on going next summer to see cliffords tower .But i cant see it if its not there. This is outrageous. i am only 12 years old but hope my werd will make diferrence .Iam facinated in medieval history.i participate in a medieval reenactment group called MCRS Medieval Chivalry Reenactment Scociety. I hope you change your plans so that people who never have seen this beutiful insignia of medieval history may be able to see it for years to come.

Name:

Rich Mills

Location:

Hull UK

Comments

York is not very far from me in Hull, and I've spent much of my childhood wandering the historic sites of York, Clifford's Tower being a strong childhood memory. I'm sure I remember rolling down the hill once.

Now I work with young people at the local college in Hull. On the 24th of this month I will be taking a trip to York and I'm sure will will be seeing the Tower. The thought that this site will be lost for the sake of sick money hunger greed turns my stomach. I give my full support to the campaign.

Name:

anita lacey

Location:

melbourne, australia

Name:

Heike Lacey

Location:

Victoria / Australia

Comments

Visited this site in October 2001, and was very moved by the story of the slaughter of the Jews. Would be inappropriate for a shopping mall to be built on this site. The world is full of shopping malls.

Name:

Marg Caron

Location:

Ontario Canada

Comments

This contributes to the history of the city of York and should be LEFT ALONE!!!!!!It is part of the Heritage and a landmark to all visitors to the city.

Name:

Peter Lacey

Location:

Melbourne,Australia

Comments

My Mother's Family came to Australia from Yorkshire i the early 1800's we visited York last year in 2001. A beautiful place. A Nation should endeavour to preserve it's heritage not destroy it. any attempt to re-develop the area in & around the City walls should not be countenanced let alone get to Planning stage . How narrow minded, short sighted & ignorant can those Civic Leader(?) be? Let York & all the areas inside the City Precinct be!!!

Name:

Julia Adams

Location:

USA

Comments

This is just wrong

Name:

Richard Beaton

Location:

York

Comments

I fully support the objections to this unnecessary commercial development. Central green spaces in York are too few for a major tourist venue, and York is already over-provided with shop/hotels/offices/cafés (Look at the Stonegate fiasco). Even a re-landscaped car park (with perhaps fewer spaces and more grass) would be infinitely preferable.

Name:

Kay Mitchell

Location:

Wakefield, Yorkshire

Comments

York, like other major cities, has empty shops already and doesn't need another ugly modern development. What it does need is to preserve its historical heritage. Leave Clifford's Tower to stand in its green surround for our children and our children's children. It has been made into a place of shame once already - don't make it into one again.

Name:

Peter Mitchell

Location:

Wakefield

Comments

I have visited York on numerous occasions, and many times have visited Clifford's Tower and the neighbouring Museum. The visits to the Tower and Museum have given me immense pleasure, and I feel that the heritage of York will be desecrated by the proposed commercial development.

Name:

Eve Morris

Location:

Taunton Somerset

Comments

I think the City of York Council should be shot for wasting so much of the Town's revenue on a Public Hearing for a concrete abomination that no one appears to want. Were not the zillions of names on the petition against it enough to make it realise? BRING BACK MORE GREEN SPACE AND STOP PANDERING TO THE PLANNERS.

Name:

Robert Pyke

Location:

Washington State, USA

Comments

To much of the world's history is being destroyed in the name of "progress". Don't let it happen to Cliffords Tower.

Name:

James Hegarty

Location:

Slatington, PA

Comments

Don't be a jackass!

Name:

aj solomon

Location:

highlands, nj

Comments

are you crazy? you mean to tell me that there is no other place to put your shopping mall? why not put it near cliffor tower and call it clifford tower mall? that would be better, don't you think?

Name:

Trevor Hughes

Location:

New Jersey, USA

Comments

Today, we are saddened by the losses of history to time and misguided efforts. What will a future generation think of this?

Name:

Robert Blackiston

Location:

United States

Comments

Name:

Richard Vinson

Location:

Namp ID USA

Comments

I have had the good fourtune to visit York twice. Cliffords tower is as much an asset to the city as the minster. It would be a shame to detract form it with an other modern obstruction. people can got to shoping malls out at the bussiness loop, they go to the city center for the history.

Name:

Richard Vinson

Location:

Namp ID USA

Comments

I have had the good fourtune to visit York twice. Cliffords tower is as much an asset to the city as the minster. It would be a shame to detract form it with an other modern obstruction. people can got to shoping malls out at the bussiness loop, they go to the city center for the history.

Name:

David Douglas Mitchell

Location:

South Milford, Leeds

Comments

The people of York should reap the very best for their wellbeing, in the success of York as a regional centre. We have reached a crossroads in the planning of our cities where housing and commercial development do not take place in isolation. Far sighted developers and planners are coming forward with proposals with provision of recreational open space, because they realise that a healthy body and mind are essential for people to produce their best in the working environment. Example of success : Glasgow £20Mill imput to park improvements at Glasgow Green - Out-turn of £400Mill in housing and commercial development. Birmingham Cathedral Square - £3Mill open space development - out-turn of £60Mill in private sector investment, excess of 1250 jobs. Bristol - Queens Square £5Mill investment - out-turn "The demand for Queen Square offices is booming in the wake of redevelopment. Rent rises are commersirate with the property boom of the 1990's. Bristol - College Green and The Centre - open space has transformed the areas into a meeting place 24hours a day, the staging of event and the conversion into residential accommodation from commercial premises has encouraged the commercial leisure sector of cafe's, restaurants and other support services that have targeted and enabled the restoration of historic buildings. This broadening of the working day and the increased numbers of people living in the city centre has created greater life and vitality. Thus we have 1) An increased choice of homes across a spectrum of prices and tenures. 2) A dramatic growth in commercial leisure sectors including the enhancement of open space. 3) Growing importance of tourism in the Bristol economy. 4)Growing range of community based regeneration projects. 5) Introduction of transport projects and initiatives. 6) Fresh emphasis on the physical greening of the city. By tacit agreement everyone feels that Parks and Open Spaces are good for public welfare, visual enhancement, environmental enhancement and economic development. Global economic competion is increasing between cities and city regions are increasingly dependent on the perceived quality of life. The green environment is a growing importance to this quality. Parks in Britain receive 2.5 billion visits per annum yet in general terms remain politically invisible. York with its limited internal green spaces at Museum Gardens and Deans Park in the east of the city with little other open space demands further provision. Coppergate 11 would obstruct this. York should not become complacent. York cannot afford to live on its past glories. It requires to innovate, have vision and look at the long term sustainable needs of the people. I am dismayed by the attitude of York Council and this opportunity they are willing to pass up, which has so much potential for the regeneartion of the city of York. Here is an opportunity to use precious land intelligently, giving citizens and visitors alike the opportunity to relax take exercise, personal respite, break away from the pressures of work, to socialise, play, improve health, and well being and provide educational opportunities for children and communities. It would bring the centre of York alive with all manner of functions: Leeds Temple Newsome Park-40,000 people evening concert. Bristol - Queen Square - open air cenema production of Moulin Rouge. My 15 years of making improvements within the city of Glasgow and in Fife is the proof. Where improvements were made developers were hot on our heels to make capital out of those enhancements all to the betterment of employment prospects and community welfare.

Name:

walter etty

Location:

amsterdam, the netherlands

Comments

As an ancestor of William Etty, the Royal Artist who led the defense of the York City Walls in the 19th century, I am very happy so many citizens are still prepared to fight 'improvements' that ruin the specific character of this fine city. As a foreigner, I shouldn't interfere in local politics. As a social democrat, and former vice-mayor of Amsterdam, I think civil society needs all the support it can get. What York needs in my opinon is take up the responsibility of maintaining a unique international monument. York should ask the best planners and architects of Europe to design a long term vision on the physical development of the city. The economic, social and cultural future of York is in the first place dependent on its unique monumental qualities. In Italy, in Spain and in my own countries, there are fine examples of very lively old cities that prosper now because they hired independent urban planners and architects, that gave them an equal position to private developers. In my opinion the Coppergate development has lost it only importance now that old railwayand industrial area near he station will become the modern compliment of the historic city.

Name:

Katherine Morrison

Location:

University of York

Comments

This is a truly disgusting situation which should never have been allowed to get this far, and must go no further. Shops and "malls" come and go (I hope), but our heritage is irreplacable.

Name:

carl wetton

Location:

chesterfield derbyshire

Comments

leave the yanks to build in their own country,we dont want some poxy clueless halfwits from a different country coming over here ruining our heritage,york has a lot of old history dating back hundreds of years and for people to let this happen is an outrage,cliffords tower should be made a listed building that way NOONE can touch it,or the surrounding parts,why anyone would want to destroy a huge tourist attraction and ruin yet another one of englands citys through loss of income from the passing tourists is beyond me,they are trying the same thing with another tourist attraction up in north yorkshire,the government should stop proposed building in or near tourist attractions and sue anyone that trys.if this is granted and is built on what other places are going to be ruined just for the sake of a building that noone really wants,ask yourself this..what are people going to visit in 100 yrs or so,what will happen to england as we have more tourists than any other country,when they go what happens then?LEAVE ENGLAND ALONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Name:

Location:

Comments

Name:

A Whonic

Location:

Colorado Springs USA

Comments

Never!!!!

Name:

Tom Etty (journalist)

Location:

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Comments

The York economy is thriving. Thriving because of the tourists. Every summer, as I'm sure in every season, tourists flock to York to see, amongst other things, the city walls, the Minster, the Shambles, the Museum Park (and the ruines of the abbey within) and ofcourse Cliffords Tower. A Yorkie might feel he or she lives in a open air museum. A place where time has stopped, progress has been halted. Although those feelings might be valid, progress requires funds. Those funds are generated for the larger part by the tourist industry. Don't bite the hand that feeds you!

I'm probably making it look like York would starve and die without tourists. My apologies. This ofcourse will not happen. However a little exaggeration wouldn't hurt if it would make some people realise the significance of a monument like Cliffords Tower or the city's heritage as a whole. Good luck with the protests!

Name:

Ingvar Swenson

Location:

Gothenburg, Sweden

Comments

Keep the area arund Clifford´s Tower as it is ! Let History remain.

Name:

J.Clay

Location:

Leeds England

Comments

The proposed alterations to this area are a disgrace, York is a national treasure and should be treated as such. The developers should not be allowed to get away with this.

Name:

Roger W. Poultney, Eagle Intermedia Publishing Ltd.

Location:

Bradford, West Yorkshire

Comments

This appears to be an outrageous plan, and one that I doubt anyone other than the developers is likely to support (!) Whatever happened to local democracy ???

Name:

ellen

Location:

york

Comments

As a York resident I am distressed and appalled not only by the plans agreed by the Council for "redeveloping" the Clifford's Tower area but by the time and public money already spent in the fight to stop those plans. Coppergate2 must be stopped and it is to be hoped that the Govenment Planning Inspector will listen to the huge public outcry even at this late stage. He has not announced his verdict yet and the louder we shout the more he must surely listen. Please support this fight to prevent Coppergate2 in every way you can. Thank you.

Name:

Frederick Peter Dobbs

Location:

Manchester (Ex York Resident)

Comments

York has always relied heavily on tourists and students for a large percentage of its revenue. Clifford's tower is a huge tourist attraction. It's also a place for people to meat and enjoy the city during the summer months. So how can putting a shopping mall next to it be a good idea? People are there to see the tower, they don't want to be jossled by shoppers who have all the rest of the adequately stocked shops in the city to go to. Someone must be getting their pockets lined here.

Name:

E Stafford

Location:

Chester

Comments

The proposed development should take into consideration the history of the area and its fine isolated position. Commercial considerations should be secondary. This is a hugely significant heritage site.

Name:

Darrell Hughes

Location:

Elnora AB Canda

Comments

I think this development is wrong what about your culture and heritage.Is it all about money and greed we have the same kind of crap in canada and its wrong

Name:

Brian Shepherd

Location:

York

Comments

I do not feel that further commercial development on the proposed site is at all appropriate to such an historic site

Name:

George Chaplin

Location:

North Yorkshire

Comments

I am against the planned development

Name:

Katie Chaplin

Location:

North Yorkshire

Comments

This development is stupid

Name:

Ebony Chaplin

Location:

North Yorkshire

Comments

No development!

Name:

Chris McKenna

Location:

Cheddar, Somerset

Comments

I last visited this area of York in March this year (2002), and I cannot imagine how anyone could conceive of this as a suitable location for the proposed development.

Name:

Mike Grose

Location:

Nantwich

Comments

Money before heritage - when will they learn?

Name:

Martin Harrison

Location:

Knaresborough. N Yorks

Comments

I'm from Huddersfield originally. To our shame, we all stood idly by in the early 1970s as the heart of that town - eighteenth century Pack Horse Mews, Shambles Lane, the Market Hall - were demolished to be replaced by a characterless shopping mall. I thought that local authorities had learned from those mistakes, but obviously not. Any development that impacts negatively on our heritage must be stopped.

Name:

Margaret Graham

Location:

York

Comments

I would like to add my voice to the many who are unhappy and disappointed at the planning decision which has been made. I am originally from the West Riding of Yorkshire and York has been my home for nearly 30 years now and I am amazed at the apparent lack of care displayed by this plan.

Name:

Darlene Alexander

Location:

Calgary, Canada

Comments

An area of such beauty and history should be left as is.

Name:

Sergej Shvetzov

Location:

Lithuania

Comments

The historical monuments destroy or to construct near them contemporary fashionable buildings for the commerce - this is crime.I think the government of England right to declare referendum on this question.I hope the majority of Englishmen the sober-minded people and will not make it possible to defile their historical values.

Name:

Paul Blay

Location:

20 Pasture Road  Letchworth  SG6 3LP

Comments

I have always loved Yorkshire and this proposal should be resisted. What the world needs now is NOT another shopping mall.

Name:

rita marcangelo

Location:

london

Name:

Dr Fiona M Clements-Russell

Location:

S.W.Scotland

Comments

I feel that the proposal to develop the area surrounding Cliffords Tower is wrong for so many reasons - historically, aesthetically, and financially being just three of them. The beauty, peace and significance of this site must not be allowed to be destroyed in the face of greed.We must save the Eye of York before it is lost forever!

Name:

Frazer Irwin

Location:

Ilkley, West Riding of Yorkshire

Comments

It is an outrage this development was ever thought of. York, a beloved City for thousands of years must keep it's great history for future generations. There are plenty of other sites which could be used and should be. York and it's historical sites are becoming damaged beyond repare due to the infernal consumption engine and all it brings with it. A few 'pennies' in a developer's pocket are nought to the havoc such a development will reek on your/our historical city. Hands off!

Name:

Brian Hoggard

Location:

Worcester, UK

Comments

Someone somewhere must be getting paid a lot of money for this scheme and you can bet it's not the people who live in the area. York is great for shopping already and is a very rare example of a city where heritage and retail coexist in relative harmony compared to many other cities. Don't allow a mistake like those which 'raped' Worcester in the 1960s. York does not need this scheme which will irrevocably destroy the historic context of the tower.

Name:

laura scotney

Location:

andover, Hants

Comments

I write to register my disappointment at the proposed plan to develop near to Cliffords Tower. I love shopping as much as the next woman but there are somethings that are more important and our heritage is one of them. How can we face future generations if we destroy their history in this way for such ephemeral reasons? It is unthinkable.

Name:

Gwen Francis

Location:

Cleethorpes

Comments

I was born in York and lived there until I was 14. I try to visit York every year, usually in the Spring when the daffodils are in bloom. I fully support this petition to keep York the beautiful city it has always been.

Name:

Clarissa

Location:

Singapore

Comments

My family and I visited York over the Summer Holidays this year. We managed to visit Clifford's Tower. We were amazed that it had retained its beauty and structure over all these years. It would be a waste if a shopping centre was built over it or near it. It would ruin the atmosphere around the Tower. I believe this should be stopped as history is important. A lot of eventful things happened at the Tower. It is our duty that the Tower and its history remain in York.

Name:

Penny

Location:

Yorkshire & Norfolk

Comments

Property development in England is the current local madness..... A cure must be found.

The impact of Clifford's Tower is already diminished by its surroundings, scarred by unsightly car parks and urban development. York must resist further above ground development anywhere near Clifford's Tower and must avoid becoming ordinary. Everywhere has shops..... Only York has Clifford's Tower.

Name:

Martin Brown

Location:

Lewes, East Sussex

Comments

I grew up in Hull and regularly came to York as a kid, I still like to visit when I can. Those visits were part of the process that set me on the road to a job in archaeology. York is special and should remain that way. The open space around Cliffords Tower provides an excellent setting and context for the tower and for the striking buildings that now house the Castle Museum. Furthermore, while Coppergate did afford amazing opportunities to look into the past what safeguards do we have that the same time and care would be taken today, an an archaeologist working in the planning field I worry. Finally, there is the issue of the Jewish massacre. The Marks and Spencer site stirred up huge controversy and planners would do well to remember it. Mercifully this country had no concentration camps but the Tower might hold similar resonances that cannot be dismissed just because the events happened hundreds of years ago.

Name:

Fran

Location:

York

Comments

I was moved here to York with my work, but now it's 'home'. I couldn't wish for a better place to live. And this Shoppergate II proposal is unbelievable. Someone else commented that a 'Central Park' is what is needed: I couldn't agree more. What we don't need is more shops - there are plenty of empty shops already in York. The Planning Committee who allowed this should be ashamed of themselves.

Name:

Jo Webber

Location:

Leeds, UK

Comments

I live in Leeds but have spent many a happy time in York, walking along the castle walls, especially pretty in spring, adorned with golden daffodils. York is a special city - dont let it become ordinary like any other city - stop those developers!!!!!

Name:

Ray Bradshaw

Location:

Perth, Western Australia

Name:

Bee

Location:

Singapore

Comments

Just how many more shopping centres does Yorkshire need? Many of them have numerous empty units as it is.

Name:

Sara Priestley

Location:

Monkton Rd York

Comments

Options 4 and 5 sound the most satisfactory. I do feel that to lose the car park totally will create more difficulties than it will solve, thinking here of wheelchair users in particular. I also feel that for those of us who need to pop into town quickly, the loss of the Cliffords tower car park will be at the very least inconvenient. A small development of shops and cafes? I still wonder if we really need any more and will they be yet more repeats of the same, Starbucks et al?

How about some support for 'one off' originals, lower rents for those that need a helping hand to get started. York truly lacks the diversity that other cities happily embrace, we are in danger of becoming 'anytown'.

Develop the otherside of the Foss to your hearts content (as long as the buildings stay low i.e 4 stories) but easy does it around the Tower.

Exciting green area site echoing the move towards a greener enviroment, with music/art/theatre platforms and green cafe would be heaven, and also reflect a movement in the city that has long be derided. This could actually become a selling point. Yorks answer to the green age, embracing the past and moving forward to a cleaner more responsible world.

Name:

Ian Smith

Location:

Leeds

Comments

There is need to develop the area surrounding Clifford's Tower, it should be made a park area. There is already too much development in the centre of York. There is a need to maintain green areas in York where peolpe can relax can enjoy the glorious unquie historical sites of York. If this is development is allowed, what will be allowed next.

Name:

Laurence Griffin

Location:

Hatfield UK

Comments

I think it is outrageous that anyone would even consider proposing a development so close to an outstanding historic monument.

These people have no soul and no vision.

Name:

Ann Griffin

Location:

Hatfield UK

Comments

I love Cliffords Tower, I always know I am in York when I see it. Parks & gardens to sit and look at it would be better especially if you are not good on heights. Don't ruin it!

Name:

Melanee Graham

Location:

Perth, Western Australia

Comments

I visited York in April/May of this year, and am stunned to discover the intention of these developers to turn this powerful historic site into a commercial centre.

Should greed overpower the desire to celebrate our heritage, surely not. Is there nowhere other than this historic site belonging to all, that could be considered for this development that benefits only a few, surely not.

Please consider our future before you make a decision to chip away at our past.

Name:

Alaster Yoxall

Location:

Sheffield

Comments

Hiya,

It's a monstrous idea. Does York really need a New Shopping area ? Better still to landsape the car park and put the tower in even better surroundings.

Name:

Rand Harrison Fishbein

Location:

Potomac, Maryland

Comments

It is outrageous that any development should be considered around Clifford's Tower. Great Britain is celebrated the world over for deference it pays to history and the respect it shows toward the antiquities of other cultures. Indeed, modern archaeology was born in Britain. How then, with such a noble heritage of preservation, can the authorities in York permit the desecration of the Clifford's Tower site. It is a disgrace and unbecoming of the British People. Surely, protecting Clifford's Tower would be one way for York and the nation to reaffirm its commitment to historic preservation and thereby send a message to the world that it should do the same!

Name:

Lesley Fowler

Location:

Essex

Comments

we visited York in March,and found it a beautiful place, full of history. Leave the area alone, there were more than enough shopping areas, and it will destroy the ambience of the city

Name:

Jim & Eileen Sharples

Location:

York, England

Comments

As citizens, (and Council Tax payers) we are appalled with the proposals to desecrate this historic area. The sight of Clifford's Tower in the spring surrounded by daffodils is a sight to be cherished and enhanced. We totally agree with the many other comments quoted.

Name:

J Whitwham

Location:

Middleham, North Yorkshire

Comments

Money talks, yet again. Its disgusting the way these developers trample on our heritage. York is already full of shopping areas and has almost lost that very special 'feel' that it had due to overloading its streets etc., surely there is no need for yet another shopping mall. You are engulfing the very places that bring tourists and indeed ourselves, (with fond childhood memories of these places) to visit. I add my name to the list of objectors to this proposal - but will no doubt be totally ignored ~ Please listen to the people for once - dont spoil York any more.... LEAVE OUR HERITAGE ALONE!

Name:

Tom Macdonald

Location:

London

Comments

Storm the council offices and bar all your spineless council leaders from the city. And then target the developers, as time goes by with protests your adversaries will become strengthened. It's time to get a bit more robust in our protesting.

Name:

Jeremy

Location:

Idaho

Comments

We need to keep cliffords tower ! It is a great monument and fun place to visit. It makes the city a better place.

Name:

David Watson

Location:

Gloucestershire, England

Comments

York is such a special city, that it could make an arguement that it is truly the capital of England. The idea that insensitive projects like this can still be proposed is outrageous. Heritage matters.

Name:

Tony Simons

Location:

York

Comments

There are plenty of empty/semi derilect properties in York that would benefit from redevelopment rather than creating another complex. Two such buildings within a stones throw of the centre are what was the megazone in picaddily and the swan hotel on the corner of coppergate.

Name:

David Cockerill

Location:

Cheltenham

Comments

Cliffords tower should be left to stand in its own beauty. surrounding development of this site would be worse than vandalism

Name:

Margaret Hughes

Location:

Elnora, Alta, Canada

Comments

Having just come back from a tour of your country, I think it would be a crime to demolish your history like this! You would just end up with a glass and concrete monstrosity like so many that we already have!

Name:

JOHN PICKARD

Location:

HERTFORDSHIRE

Comments

A son of YORK bred and born,I find this development absolutely abhorrent and against all known criteria for defending, and protecting, our Historic Heritage.

DON'T LET IT HAPPEN.

Name:

helen saffery

Location:

london

Comments

What a monstrous thought, my memory of the wonderful Clifford's Tower marred by the encroachment of a bland faceless shopping centre. This is a false economy, what about the tourist industry? What about the well being and pride of local people? The tower needs to be experienced in all its surrounding glory without which it will be reduced to a mere exhibit not worth a visit. This is a priceless heritage site that must be preserved for visitors and tourist alike, the wealth of local Yorkshire people and the nation at large.

Name:

Andrea Koenig

Location:

San Jose CA

Comments

As a York person born & bred it would be a tragedy to a significant landmark such as this ruined in the name of quick cash. Make a feature & relish the wonderful heritage that has been blessed upon the City of York & not homogenize it to shopping mall hell.

Name:

Paul Koenig

Location:

San Jose CA

Comments

I am an American married to a York girl I have travel & visited my new English family several times & relished my walking tours around York. Any city in the USA would give anything to be able to have the historical relics you take for granted every day. Just think of the characterless strip malls & Disneyequse garbage of the worst of the USA & wake up fast thats where your taking your wonderful city. I hope you realized what an amazing city you have before its all too late.

Name:

Paul Koenig

Location:

San Jose CA

Comments

I am an American married to a York girl I have travel & visited my new English family several times & relished my walking tours around York. Any city in the USA would give anything to be able to have the historical relics you take for granted every day. Just think of the characterless strip malls & Disneyequse garbage of the worst of the USA & wake up fast thats where your taking your wonderful city. I hope you realized what an amazing city you have before its all too late.

Name:

James Saffery

Location:

Kurri Kurri, NSW, Australia

Comments

Totally outrageous and completely out of place. This must be stopped.

Name:

Rhian Cooper

Location:

Dallas, Texas. USA

Comments

I was a York citizen before my recent move to the US. Cliffords Tower is a huge part of York's heritage and should not be obscured by shops. Tourists come to see York's heritage and not the shops. There is room for retail expansion outside the city on the ring road e.g. Monks Cross, Clifton Moor and the Designer outlet. York needs to conserve its history, a history that many other cities and countries are envious of and we as York citizens should be proud of.

Rhian Cooper (nee Taylor)

Name:

Clare Braithwaite

Location:

Manchester

Comments

Please stop this and don't spoil York!

Name:

CHRIS WALKER

Location:

LEEDS

Comments

YORK IS A WORLD HERITAGE SITE - DEVELOPERS BUILD AND DESTROY AND THEN MOVE ON SOMEWHERE ELSE. THIS PROPOSAL IS BEYOND BELIEF.

Name:

Simon Redding

Location:

Derbyshire

Comments

What a waste of a wonderful and historic location

Name:

Andrew Collingwood

Location:

Heslington York

Comments

Clifford's Tower is a beautiful and significant part of York's history and if the area needs redeveloping (I don't deny some of Picadilly is pretty ugly) it should be to make way for an open park area for people to enjoy the surrounding, and not to create yet another shopping precinct.

Name:

Gordon Bell

Location:

York

Comments

I have applied to bring punting hire boats onto the River Foss in this great area of York and I would not want shops blocking the view of the ancient Cliffords Tower. See www.puntinginyork.com 

Name:

Andy S. Murray

Location:

Surrey, UK

Comments

We only get one chance to preserve our history and heritage. Don't mess with it!

Andy http://www.abiggerincome.com

Name:

stuart wilson

Location:

york

Comments

Cliffords Tower appears in all the tourist brochures of York. It is used nearly everday for some publicity or other, all to the good of York. I am a voluntary guide of York so I should know. The developers of this shopping mall want to keep all the "publicity" for themselves and relegate Cliffords Tower to a showpiece in the shopping mall ! Nice if you can get away with it ! Save money on making and creating your own "brand or identity", pity the York City Council are not bright enough to see that !

Name:

Dave Juno

Location:

blueboobie2002@yahoo.com.au

Comments

Myself and friends are circulating the enclosed letter to all communities of note who have connections with the name/word York, world wide. Can we ask you to do the same? Thank you.

URGENT HISTORICAL APPEAL

Normally we would present a request of this magnitude by letter. However such is the need for speed, we hope you will accept email. An historic part of the City of York, UK, hangs in the balance. Are the Citizens of the World to accept the mis-guided views of a few, or stand as one and save York’s history for future generations?

Please give the following web sites your most immediate attention,

www.geocities.com/cliffordstower/  & www.cliffordstower.com/petition/ 

and lend the weight of your esteemed publication to the citizen’s appeal. We, that is York and all concerned, look to learned men and women such as yourselves, to point out the folly of developing this priceless piece of world history.

Think how a future article may look if the development took place. Which would you, your writers and photographers prefer around Clifford’s Tower? To say nothing of your readers. An out of place modern development or an area of green grass open to all.

We trust the above has not fallen on deaf ears. Support the Citizens of York or lose for eternity priceless historical artefacts. The answer ladies and gentlemen is in your hands.

Yours in great faith

Dave Juno and friends

www.ilkleymor.co.uk www.elburgandy.co.uk

Name:

peter hirschmann

Location:

leeds

Comments

Good luck in your campaign. The proposed redevelopment should not be permitted

Name:

Pauline Quinton, Jon Gunson

Location:

Peckham, South East London

Comments

My family have been traders, merchants and Freemen of the City of York for centuries. I am always proud to say that I come from York. It makes me very angry that incompetent planning policies, produced by the very people who should be guarding the essence of York`s heritage, should threaten the irreplacable fabric of the City. Get rid of these people. Pauline Quinton, J.P.

This style of development is unsustainable in so many ways. In this particular location it would be criminally insensitive, particularly in view of the tragic significance of Clifford`s Tower to Britain`s Jewish community. The heritage of a city like York does not belong to York alone, and especially not to any clique within it

Jon Gunson.

Name:

Robert Metcalfe

Location:

Ripon

Comments

York doesn't need this development on this site - it could happen elsewhere!

Apart from that, this site is too important historically to be desecrated in this way.

Name:

John Belt

Location:

Maryland - USA

Comments

Please excuse this interruption by a foreigner. Not being a British subject, my views may not count for much. However, I have visited your beautiful city in 2000 and nothing in my life has moved me as much as that trip. I was totally enthralled by everything I encountered while there. I came away knowing that our 200 year history in America really doesn't amount to much when compared to yours which is 10 times as long and rich. I was so moved that I would do anything to protect what you have now.

Name:

Laurie Porstner

Location:

New York, USA

Comments

I visited the exterior of the Tower after dark in June of 1998. I was moved by the way the building stood out in the moonlight, a single structure on top of the hill. Walking around its perimeter and reading the commemorative plate that tells its history, I could feel that this place had a certain presence, a feel to it that I can't quite describe but it surely was there.

Clifford's Tower is not just any other "castle" or bit of walls from ages past. I feel that it would be a great dishonor to those who died within the Tower's walls if the development around the area were to occur. This is a monument that has a history that is very much connected to the present. Let's not destroy the magic of it.

Name:

Laurie Porstner

Location:

New York, USA

Comments

I visited the exterior of the Tower after dark in June of 1998. I was moved by the way the building stood out in the moonlight, a single structure on top of the hill. Walking around its perimeter and reading the commemorative plate that tells its history, I could feel that this place had a certain presence, a feel to it that I can't quite describe but it surely was there.

Clifford's Tower is not just any other "castle" or bit of walls from ages past. I feel that it would be a great dishonor to those who died within the Tower's walls if the development around the area were to occur. This is a monument that has a history that is very much connected to the present. Let's not destroy the magic of it.

Name:

Richard

Location:

York

Comments

No more shops - we need to sustain our current CBD before building new retail units. And this area needs to be prserved - a big public park will bring more visitors to the city.

Name:

David D Hughes

Location:

Piccadilly, York

Comments

As a lifetime inhabitant of York and a long time businessman in the Castle Area, I am appalled at the proposals to build on the site of York Castle. My own business, on Piccadilly, will be demolished as part of the plans, but I am not concerned at this. I have always said that the redevelopment of Piccadilly is a good thing. What is wholly wrong is to build on the other side of the river - the area next to Clifford's Tower. This is special to us in York and to the many visitors who come here, and we shall work together to defend it.

Name:

Dr Bridget Matthews

Location:

South Bank, York

Comments

I have lived in York for the past 10 years and like the majority of other residents, and visitors to the city, love it for its unique character and inimitable charm. Not only does York have a wealth of history but also a thriving and diverse retail and commercial sector, which offers far more than just major high street names. Now the planners want to transform York into yet another 'faceless' city with this incongruous and unwarranted development. Not only is an important and beautiful heritage site under threat from the developers, but the very heart of our city. No price can be placed on the rare essence that York posesses. It is irreplaceable. Please say 'no' to the developers with their prime motivation of greed and profit and save our city for the enjoyment of both present and future generations...

Name:

louise fiddes

Location:

sheffield

Comments

why spoil York? History and heritage is what visitors to York want to see. Without tourism York woul suffer so why comprise the future of York as a historical city?

Name:

billy jean

Location:

intake, sheffield

Comments

Please dont let those greedy developers get their hands on the cuty of York, after all who will really benefit? - not the residents thats for sure! York is a beautiful and attractive city to visit and cliffords tower is one of the attractions of the city, why spoil it and risk losing many of the valuable tourists that the local economt thrives on?

Good luck with all the campaigning and fingers crossed you will get a result. xx

Name:

Alan Meek

Location:

Georgetown Ontario Canada

Name:

Alan Meek

Location:

Georgetown Ontario Canada.

Name:

Sandy Webb

Location:

Arlington, TX

Comments

I came to this website strictly to find more info on the tower when I came across this petition. I have been to York, I have climbed the steps of the tower, and I cannot imagine a shopping mall so close to an historic site with a past so heart wrenching. Please reconsider your location.

Name:

Hazel Gallogly

Location:

York

Comments

We have empty shops. Why do we want any more? Money is being spent of excellent park and ride schemes. Reduce car parking space and make people use them. Give us a nature park where we can enjoy Cliffords Tower to its full.

Name:

John Freeman

Location:

Lancaster, England

Comments

We are in the earlt stages of early plans for a "shoppergate" in Lancaster, but this pales when compared to a plan which will turn the ancient monument into a traffic island and swamp the Castle Museum. Good luck with your campaign.

Name:

Bronwyn Gallagher

Location:

N.B. Canada

Comments

I love York. I was so sad to read people were thinking about ruining some of the beautiful historical buildings in York, Canada has nothing to compare, we are such a young country. York is such a wonderful place and its history is a big part of that, there is no reason to take it away.

Name:

Kath Edwards

Location:

Stockport.

Comments

Although not from York, I visit frequently. Do the City fathers not realise that they are guardians of this wonderful part of our heritage ? . Hands off Cliffords Tower . The last thing York needs is another shopping mall. Rethink. PLEASE.

Name:

John Gascoyne

Location:

Pickering, York

Comments

Tourism is York's major industry. The proposed development will not bring in one tourist.

We need to make our greatest assets even more attractive, the competitionn for tourists is getting keen.

Name:

Penny Warner

Location:

Ontario Canada

Comments

Leave the historical buildings alone. I haven't been able to come back to England for 20 years, and it seems that when I am able to come back, the historical buildings will have gone. I may as well not bother. Don't destroy England's heritage. There's no need for any more shopping centres.

Name:

Bruce Southers

Location:

Erlanger, KY

Comments

This is a wonderful piece of York history. Development around the tower would be terrible. This and other sites make York the most wonderful place in England.

Name:

Julie Gerwe-Southers

Location:

Cincinnati, Ohio USA

Comments

Please preserve the area surrounding Clifford's Tower. My family and I visited this historic landmark during the summer of 2001. We enjoyed the site and the rich history related to it. Please protect it from development. Building a shopping center will not only spoil the building's heritage but the cities historic image as well!

Name:

Alan Edwards

Location:

Stockport

Comments

I visit York regularly and when I heard of the plans to surround the tower with development I was horrified. Why do developers and associated council officials have what can only be described as zero consideration for our heritage? ??????????????

Name:

latif adamou

Location:

Germany

Comments

I lived and studied in york between 1985 and 1987. The clifford´s tower is one of the remarquable cultural features in york that deserves to be left in peace.

Name:

Peter

Location:

Australia

Comments

Leave Cliffords Tower alone and spend a bit of money on preserving the heritage of York. I am from Leeds and live in Australia. My last visit to York was in 1989 and I hope to be visiting again in 2002. York is one of my favorite places and is on my list every visit to my old homeland.

Name:

Paul Cordle

Location:

South Bank, York

Comments

Please add my support to the petition against the extension of the Coppergate centre into the Castlegate area. It represents a danger to the economic fertility of the city centre which currently has some 140 commercial units standing empty, a level of vacancy which will only be increased by the addition of several large floorplates in the Castlegate and Piccadilly area. Coppergate itself, has, since its very inception been an embarassing and superfluous anathema. There is no justification for throwing good money after bad and at the same time compromising the visual, historical and archaelogical significance of the site. Moreover, the people of York have amply demonstrated that they do not want this development to proceed - which should be reason enough.

Name:

Paul Cordle

Location:

South Bank, York

Comments

Please add my support to the petition against the extension of the Coppergate centre into the Castlegate area. It represents a danger to the economic fertility of the city centre which currently has some 140 commercial units standing empty, a level of vacancy which will only be increased by the addition of several large floorplates in the Castlegate and Piccadilly area. Coppergate itself, has, since its very inception been an embarassing and superfluous anathema. There is no justification for throwing good money after bad and at the same time compromising the visual, historical and archaelogical significance of the site. Moreover, the people of York have amply demonstrated that they do not want this development to proceed - which should be reason enough.

Name:

Janet Rosa Wells

Location:

Preston

Comments

I was born in Yorkshire, and studied York while at Hull University 40 years ago. Many of my ancestors came from York, and I would hate to see such an important part of our heritage destriyed.

Name:

The Carrickminders - www.carrickminescastle.org

Location:

Carrickmines Castle, Co Dublin, Ireland

Comments

This is an outrage comparable only to that at CARRICKMINES CASTLE in Ireland. It would seem that the battle for heritage protection over the vested interests of developers is one which needs to be fought on an international level. Our own seige and occupation of Carrickmines Castle is now entering its 4th month. For more info please see www.carrickminescastle.org. In the mean time, the best of luck and our heart-felt sympathies to our brethern involved with Clifford's Tower!

Name:

Steven de Ruig

Location:

the Netherlands

Comments

Stop developers in general, and these especially! How can someone even think of meddling with York?

Name:

Jacqueline Hartnett

Location:

Adelaide, Australia

Comments

What next stonehenge, leave history alone you can never recover it. Leave York alone go muck with London Heritage tear down Harrods. I'm sure there plenty of other places that could be used after all Yorkshire is the biggest county. "SAVE YORKSHIRE HERITAGE" bugger off back to the South.

Yorkshire born and bred.

Name:

Walter Poschadel

Location:

Norway

Comments

I can hardly believe the city council can actually allow a _Shopping centre_ to be built here! Have they all gone bonkers? This is a site of beauty and history, not commercial interest. Allthough I myself have never been to York (yet), I hope, both for myself and my generation, as well as generations to come, that this "development" will _never_ be followed through.

Name:

Katherine

Location:

Leicester

Comments

I studyed in Hull for three years and would regularly visit the sights of york. I always found the city to be a beautifully historic place and was refreshed by the lack of ugly new developments which dominate most modern cities. I became so fond of york that I have decided to move there next year. I am utterly disgusted by the proposals and am shocked that the plans have been allowed to develop as far as this stage. I wrongly assumed the Clifford's Tower site and other important historical areas of such importance would be protected from such invasions!

Name:

Dennis Conard

Location:

Sacramento, California

Comments

I don't understand why The Walled City needs more replication of shopping which is already in place! Having the Car Park next to the Museum and Tower is bad enough. Putting more people in such a small Pedestrian area would only cause more traffic and congestion in what is already in an overflow situation.

Name:

Stuart Hannah

Location:

Adelaide Australia

Comments

I was brought up in York and have recently been able to visit my home town. It would be a disgrace to build out this part of York, the Tower looks magnificent with what little free space there is around it. Surely the majority of Yorks visitors are there to experience its history not the shopping!

Name:

Jennifer Minor

Location:

San Antonio, Texas, United States

Comments

Though I'm thousands of miles away I will always stand together with others to help protect and save history.

Name:

Kerry Wood

Location:

Australia

Comments

My husband and I recently visited York and just loved it. These heritage sites can never be replaced - NEVER ! Leave it alone for future generations - what are your grandchildren going to visit and marvel over -ancient monuments or plastic supermarkets?

Name:

Michael J. Haworth

Location:

Toronto, Canada

Comments

Clifford's Tower is an important part of York and Britain's history. It's significance should not be compromised in any way.

Name:

Anne Sylvester

Location:

scunthorpe

Comments

It would be a shame to go ahead with the proposed plans, perhaps a leaf could be taken out of Grimsby's book at Alexandra Dock, and the river area developed in keeping with historic features of the surrounding area.

Name:

Andreas Heinemeyer

Location:

University of York,UK

Comments

Please consider the voice of the people of York!!!

They don't want this development, they want open and green space with much smaller scale developments on the Castle Site but surely they don't mind to go ahead with a good scheme on the Picadilly site...

Power to the people.

Name:

Julie

Location:

Comments

Name:

Julie Somers

Location:

Leeds

Comments

I believe that the coppergate shopping centre is not needed in York. York is a beautiful, historic city and should not try to change it's image to a shopping city. It would ruin the impact of the beautiful and important Cliffords Tower.

Name:

aimee jennings

Location:

leeds

Comments

Name:

John Baker

Location:

York

Comments

I don't want to see this development go through.

Name:

Anna Baker

Location:

York

Comments

There are already enough shops in the centre of York. I support the campaign to stop the Clifford's Tower development.

Name:

Andrea Martin

Location:

Huddersfield UK

Comments

This must not happen. Cliffords Tower (and the Castle Museum) are two of the most important landmarks in Yorkshire - not just York. I visit York very regularly and truely believe the new must not mix with the old on this occasion. The sight of Cliffords Tower and the museum is one of the most spendid sights in York. DO NOT allow this to proceed. I would be amazed if any of the residents and visitors to York agreed to this. Please do not spoil this beautiful city. (Believe me this would!!!!!!)

Any help u need in protesting against this cause - let me know. I love this city.

Name:

Adele Barnes

Location:

Lancaster

Comments

Name:

G S & J Goodman.

Location:

York.

Comments

We were very unhappy with the original proposals to develop the Clifford's Tower area of York. We are equally unhappy with the new proposals. There are plenty of responsible and capable people in York, both in the university and elsewhere, who should be enrolled into a vetting group to criticise and offer practical suggestions on sensitve matters of development such as this - and their views should be listened to.

Name:

Erik Schmidt

Location:

Townsville, Australia

Comments

The deception so evidently carried on in gaining approval for the project from York council speaks greatly about the project's chances of being accepted on it's merits. None whatsoever!!

Name:

Janet Hayward

Location:

Chesterfield Derbyshire

Comments

York is a wonderful example of preserved history- I would hate to see it spoilt by some modern travesty of a shopping mall- surely there are other sites which could be used IF York needs more shops.

Name:

Gerard Dockery

Location:

Bray,Ireland

Comments

As a dweller in an area that has suffered more than most from this type of "developement",I know this type of Civic incompetence and corruption all too well. I am shocked that something like this can happen in a city with such a great heritage such as York. Best wishes to all those fighting to stop this insanity. Keep up the fight.

Name:

Sheila Scott

Location:

Australia

Comments

Originally a 'Bradford lass', Clifford's Tower, The Kirk Collection, the walls are integral to pre-war childhood memories. To destroy the Tower would be historical, social, cultural vandalism. And for what? A shopping mall which, if it's lucky, will have an estimated life of fifty years? And how old is the Tower? Is there any comparison?

Name:

Peter E. Presford

Location:

Buckley, Nth. Wales

Comments

As an editor of a Small Press magazine devoted to Castle Studies, I just can't belive this projected scheme. I'll make sure all my readers (at home and abroad) are aware of what may happen in York. Good luck in squashing this barmy idea.

Name:

Leodis

Location:

Leeds

Comments

Will the citizens of York have a shopping centre which residents can use or will it remain a collection of restautants and tourist trinket shops. Support the shopping development in the centre of York which everbody can use and stop York Centre being fossilised for ever. Clifford tower will remain but is it too late for York City Centre as a viable shopping centre? Come to Leeds where you can shop.

Name:

Chris Lunn

Location:

Sheffield

Comments

Stop the shopping mall, let the people walk on the castle site not over it. www.castleuk.net

Name:

Graham Hayward

Location:

Gourock

Comments

Clifford Tower should not be encroached upon by an ugly new development - we should respect both the building and its surroundings.

Name:

Andrew Rowland

Location:

Kent (with vacations in York)

Comments

How can such a modern monstrosity be considered, not only so close to Clifford's Tower, but also on the site of York Castle. York is a historic city, and there are plenty of sites on the outskirts of the city which could be alternatives - assuming such a mall is indeed necessary at all.

Name:

gordon w mason

Location:

glasgow

Comments

Living in a city which has destroyed a variety of fine castle buildings and environments rather than invest in their refurbishment and tourism value for the future, I speak with experience when I say that our heritage should be preserved and enhanced. IT CANNOT BE REPLACED. We have many fine sites on this island, but their numbers are steadily decreasing. We have to preserve now, before we realise that we have gone too far. It's only afterward that you realise how a particular site could have been developed for the benefit of a whole community, and it's loss fully appreciated.

Name:

peter jakeman

Location:

tadcaster

Comments

stop them doing this .The council seem to think they can do as they like?.

Name:

Chris Brownbridge

Location:

York

Comments

Born & bred in York (paying York Coucil Tax) I see no need for the projected abortion, apart from making some councillors feel good. As far as artistic quality goes, it bears the same hallmarks shown by the moron who recently used the sublime West Front of York Minster as a child's scribbling pad.

Name:

Angela Head

Location:

harrogate

Comments

Does York have too few shops? I think not! It is a sprawling city which caters for every taste imaginable. Do not spoil the heritage of the place for the sake of shopping!!!!!!!!!!!

Name:

Michael Green

Location:

Nanango Qld Australia

Comments

Hands off York, you greedy scumbags. You'd sell your own granny if you could make a few quid and then call it 'Progress'.

Name:

Weed

Location:

Basildon, Essex

Comments

i was born in Yorkshire and feel sad to see the ancient city of York threatened by a development which shows no sensitivity towards its history which needs to be preserved for the benefit of future generations - it's not just a matter of preserving buildings and monuments - it's also maintaining the surroundings which reflect the community's attitude towards them

Name:

Jenny Speight

Location:

Airmyn, East Yorkshire

Comments

It would be a tragedy to do this to one of the most beautiful cities in the country. York is my personal favourite city, it does not need any more shops and already has all the major stores plus a host of other unique shops. Please do not let this new building happen to our city.

Name:

Jenny Speight

Location:

Airmyn, East Yorkshire

Comments

It's a terrible idea, York needs to maintain its history and its beauty, not build more shops!

Name:

Mrs. M. L. Copley

Location:

Rotherham

Comments

Being a regular visitor to York for many, many years I honestly do not see the need for this project. I feel that there are already sufficient shopping facilities in and around the city and that developing land so close to Clifford's Tower would be a tragedy.

York is an old and very beautiful city, please let it remain so.

Name:

Coway Lonsdale

Location:

PONTYPOOL, Wales

Comments

Historic York can stay historic without pandering to the money merchants. Keep York beautiful or the tourism will be lost - and with it York's income.

Name:

Maria Hyndes

Location:

Leeds, Yorkshire

Comments

We have a responsibility to future generations to preserve this site. The developers prioity is not to do this. Indeed the Victorian archaeology beneath the car park and existing buildings will be of great interest in the future. We are the guardians and our duty should be carved in stone not concrete.

Name:

Mrs J Berriman

Location:

South Yorkshire

Comments

Having been brought up in Yorkshire and told that York was our capital city. How can these people be allowed to ruin it. York is our heritage is it stands now, not how a few business men would like to see it. Leave our City alone!!!

Name:

B Goulden

Location:

York

Comments

This project must be stopped. Though why we should believe in a council who has brought us Stonegate Arcade, The Barbican Centre, Stonebow to name but a few will do something decent is expecting too much. Any proposal by this council always seems to be the one accepted by the residents ! (according to the council ) We are paying local taxes which are to be spent fighting ourselves.

Name:

Mrs.Ryder

Location:

LEEDS

Comments

I & my family would like to add our objection to the proposed shopping site and the underhand way it has been conducted. We & our friends enjoy many visits to York & it is the first place to take visitors. The idea of having more shops (& no doubt the usual ones anyway) in such a historical area is shocking.GOOD lUCK.

Name:

Joan Strong

Location:

Scunthorpe

Comments

I visit York because of the historical interest, although I usually do some shopping at the same time.If I was only interested in shops I would go to Meadowhall and not pay £7 to park. Don't let them ruin York and stop the reason to visit it.

Name:

john strong

Location:

Scunthorpe

Comments

I visit York to enjoy the open spaces around the historical sites. Shopping although important is not necessary in this location.

Name:

Sharon Copperwheat

Location:

Bedfordshire

Comments

Would hate to see a shopping mall next to the castle.York needs to be left alone so we can see the beautiful city it is. I was born and bred in York and all my family are there so i visit regulary and admire the heritage every time i visit. Don't change it.

Name:

andrew brunton

Location:

york

Comments

stop this barbarism in my historic city.. york cc seem to forget they are supposed to represent york people and not themselves.

Name:

Leo Vermeulen

Location:

Netherlands

Comments

In hollydays I came to York because is was a really beautiful city. Why shoud I ever come back if the place turns into a heap of concrete?? How stupid can be a council. To destroy a place like Cliffords Tower is absolutely madness What a shame!!!!

Name:

James McRae

Location:

London UK

Comments

An insult to a powerful reminder that Anti-Semitism and racism have been powerful in Britain, and why they should be fought. If the centre is built, the process of forgetting this history is assisted, and in turn opens the door for violent Anti-Semitism and racism in the future.

Name:

Dr. P. Evans

Location:

Copmanthorpe

Comments

At the end of the day, who will benefit from the development at Coppergate II? Certainly not the people of York! Our heritage is precious and MUST be protected from the developers? After all, who will benefit from the development of Coppergate II but the developers! There is no logical reason to develop the site into new commercial and residential premises. Land values within the city walls are already at a premium, and centrifugal forces have led to a dispersal of low cost homes and retail businesses away from the city's core area. Let's fight to keep York historical advantage alive!

Name:

Tom Leggott

Location:

Selby

Comments

You complain about skateboarders in the streets, but if there were more skateparks in the north yorkshire area,we would'nt skate at cliffords tower or any streets for that matter

Name:

Graeme Thomas

Location:

14 Queens Court, Fetter Lane, YO1 6EH

Comments

I am very much opposed to this development which is neither necessary nor in-keeping with the nature of the site which is in the centre of a historically sensitive area.

Name:

Penny Thomas

Location:

14 Queens Court, Fetter Lane, YO1 6EH

Comments

I am against any development which does not sensitively respect the unique historical aspects of the site. I do not think the proposed design is appropriate in terms of the visual impact it will have.

Name:

A. Margaret Sarjeant

Location:

Saskatoon, Canada

Name:

Jonathan Yardley

Location:

Salt Spring Island,B.C.,Canada

Comments

As a member of the RIBA I recived the notice regarding "Shoppergate" As an architect specialising in heritage conservation and having visited York I am extremley disturbed over the draconian actions of York City Council. Yes the openness and visual appearence of the setting of Clifford's Tower must be maintained. Why not burry the 'center/parking' under the green grass? May I wish you sucess from Canada. Jonathan Yardley,Dip.Arch[Birm],RIBA,MRAIC,MAIBC.

Name:

Mark Randall

Location:

London

Comments

From English Heritage:

'Clifford's Tower is all that remains of York Castle'. - I'm not familiar with the vicinity, however I think it is of upmost importance for our country that we preserve our history. If this insensitive scheme finds it's way through the planning system, I believe the developers should be forced to improve the area directly adjacent to the Tower, through the introduction of green space (as a compromise - section 106 agreement) and pay for renovations to the existing building. Force them to reinstate the original timber roof, and make the tower a more important landmark - use the revenue created to uphold the hertiage of this important city. Mark Randall BA(hons) Dip Arch PG Dip Prac Architect

Name:

Elrond Burrell

Location:

Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, UK

Comments

Absolutely disgusting, I hope that the Land Securities proposals are not permitted to proceed. Protect our heritage and make the city for people not corporate profit!

Name:

Neil & Margarette Foster

Location:

Warsaw, Poland

Comments

Having been born, raised and educated in York as an Architect, and still frequently visit, we are appalled at the prospect of this development in such a sensitive area. Remember the fiasco of Stonebow House and how it set the tone for the rest of Stonebow? Will YCC never learn? We suggest they make it a condition the development is put out to architectural competition run by a neutral body such as the RIBA with YCC members on the assessing panel, as they do with many major developments in London.

Good luck,

Margarette & Neil Foster

Name:

lee Waterhouse

Location:

Gemany

Comments

Do we really need anymore faceless shops selling the same crap, only this time in front of an historic monument?

Name:

ANDREW GALBRAITH

Location:

LEEDS

Comments

THIS WOULD BE SACRILIGE - STOP IT BEFORE WE LOSE OUR MOST IMPORTANT HERITAGE SITES.

Name:

Peter Meek

Location:

Bishopthorpe, York

Comments

I believe the area around Cliffords Tower should be part of the "World Squares For All" initiative which aims to transform key heritage sites into world class spaces to be enjoyed by everyone. Trafalar Square is designated as above and has attracted a grant via the Heretage Lottery Fund.

Name:

Clifford Lowe

Location:

Muncie, Indiana, USA

Comments

One of my dreams in life is to travel to England and see the historic castle and fortifications. Clifford's Tower is at the top of my list for obvious reasons.

Never having been to York, I can't claim to know the geography of the city, but surely there is a better location for something so transient as a shopping mall than next to piece of your countries history.

Name:

Jon Trigg

Location:

Liverpool

Comments

I feel that heritage sites are there for all to enjoy as what they are. They should not be exploited for the gain of commercial builders and planners. Surely you can find somewhere less sensitive to build a shopping mall?

Name:

Coilin O Drisceoil

Location:

Ireland

Comments

I come from Kilkenny, the 'capital' of medieval Ireland as the tourist brochures term it. Here, insensitive developments such as that proposed at York have ruined the character of the medieval town and as a direct consequence tourist numbers are down significantly.

Name:

dr sean duffy

Location:

trinity colege dublin

Comments

what is proposed in this instance is truly shameful - it cannot be allowed to proceed.

Name:

sam hunter

Location:

sydney australia

Comments

when you leave york and come to australia you realise how wonderful the old buildings and history are,but to some people the money is more important!

Name:

G.E. Hopkin

Location:

Madrid, Spain

Comments

Having left York twenty years ago, I still visit my family there frequently and have often not known whether to laugh or cry at some of the things the town planners come up with, but when my parents told me about this particular project I thought they were joking - they had to show me this website before I would believe them! I wish you every success with your campaign. I've just about had it with greedy speculators.

Name:

Simone Farrell

Location:

Doncaster

Comments

I cannot believe that yet more shopping developments are planned for this area.This area should be kept as it is now so that i can take my children to see the magnificent tower and surroundings as they stand. Please don't let this fantastic place be spoiled by greedy developers and councellors.

Name:

David

Location:

Boston

Comments

My father is from Yorkshire, and we often return home to visit. I will not travel so far just to see yet another shopping mall. I can find those anywhere. What I can't find anywhere is the stunning beauty that makes the Clifford's Tower area so uniquely special. Enough already! http://www.sprawl-busters.com/index.html

Name:

arissa

Location:

ajax

Comments

what are the citys in alberta,

Name:

KATIE

Location:

NY

Comments

FUCK YOU

Name:

Diego Alcázar

Location:

Avila, Spain

Comments

Haven't these developers ever heard of thing called social responsibility? Social marketing makes good business sense these days. Why not build the centre in a place less harmful to Clifford's Tower and link their economic activities with the conservation of this particular monument? People would be far more likely to shop there if they feel their wishes have been respected and they are shopping in an evironmentally and historically friendly place.

Name:

Rob Foster

Location:

Hertfordshire

Comments

What next? Bulldoze the Minster and build a Cinema Multiplex?

Absolutely appalling.

Name:

nina banks

Location:

Durham n c.   USA

Comments

Surely you can find some other place to build your shopping center.I am looking at a picture of Cliffords Tower with all the beautiful dafferdils and you want to put buildings close by?

Name:

Ken Clarke MRICS

Location:

London N22

Comments

I was shocked to discover the plans to build a retail dvelopment next to this historic tower. Why is the council seeking to reduce a World Heritage Site to regional shopping centre? If the retail is needed place it in a less sensitive site perhaps adjacent to the National Railway Museum.

Name:

Shaun Wall

Location:

Dublin, Ireland

Comments

I am opposed in principle to modern developments up against or near antiquities. I know Clifford's Tower and object to any development near it. The uniqueness of the tower is the open space surrounding it

Name:

J. Bateman

Location:

Selby

Comments

I am against the proposed development, please perservere against this.

Name:

Michael Walton

Location:

Stoke On Trent

Comments

I call York my home as I was born and bred there and only haverecently moved away, but still a frequent visitor. The area round Clifford's Tower has been spoiled enough without adding to the ugly monstrosities already there. There is enough other sites suitable for development either further up or down the Ouse or Foss especially the old gas works or Adams Hydraulics sites. So do not build anything else in the Cit of York and drive away the bread winners of the city the tourists. Remember for many years half of the Coppergate centre stood empty.

Name:

Dianne Penn

Location:

Dudley,West Mids.

Comments

Clifford's Tower has been there alot longer than a new development will ever be, once spoiled it can never be re-established. These priceless monuments - the envy of the world - MUST be protected and cherished, after all who are we to spoil them, we are but a dot in the passage of time.

Name:

pauline lloyd and family

Location:

castleford west yorkshire

Comments

too many of our buildings are getting ruined lets try and save some york is a lovely place so hands off!!!!!!!!

Name:

pauline lloyd and family

Location:

castleford west yorkshire

Comments

too many of our buildings are getting ruined lets try and save some york is a lovely place so hands off!!!!!!!!

Name:

pauline lloyd and family

Location:

castleford west yorkshire

Comments

too many of our buildings are getting ruined lets try and save some york is a lovely place so hands off!!!!!!!!

Name:

pauline lloyd and family

Location:

castleford west yorkshire

Comments

too many of our buildings are getting ruined lets try and save some york is a lovely place so hands off!!!!!!!!

Name:

pauline lloyd and family

Location:

castleford west yorkshire

Comments

too many of our buildings are getting ruined lets try and save some york is a lovely place so hands off!!!!!!!!

Name:

Janet Durham

Location:

U.S.

Comments

Originally from the UK, makes me heartsick to see the beauty and heritage of our wonderful country, ruined. Please reconsider.

Name:

daniel

Location:

birmingham

Comments

york is a very nice place but what hppened to the jews in clifford's tower

Name:

kate tudor

Location:

Reading

Comments

I have long visited York and feel that the development in recent times has been of poor quality for such an historic city. The charm of York is its relatively small and contained site, but this is also a drawback when poor planning controls allow unsympathetic development - the impact is that much more. York prizes its historic status and this attracts much revenue to the area, so to pollute its historic monuments with unsympathetic development is to undermine one of its chief attractions.

Name:

C. Bodrugan

Location:

London

Comments

Name:

Philippa Bettison

Location:

Australia

Comments

It seems there has been a concerted campaign over the last 40 years for the relentless uglification of Britain. As a Yorkshirewoman living on the other side of the world it really makes my blood boil to hear that bureaucrats of such pygmy intellect could let such a thing happen in my beloved York.

Name:

Gillian Daniels

Location:

Hyde,Cheshire

Comments

We come to York regularly at least twice a year to stay and enjoy the streets of York. To build a centre near the Tower would distroy the feel and heart of the City.

Name:

alex holden

Location:

lancashire

Comments

this is pathetic why would you want to put a mall next to a historical building

Name:

Jennifer Brannan

Location:

NSW Australia

Comments

York is always one of the first places that I recommend that friends visit when travelling from Australia to UK, they are always amazed by the history and are fascinated by Cliffords tower, please don't destroy our heritage or cover it up with the fake concrete jungle that most places find viable these days, be proud of what you have, don't exploit it

Name:

Michelle Middleton

Location:

Australia

Comments

Keep History for our children!!!!........dont destroy it!...please!!!

Name:

Mrs P.A.Smith

Location:

Grimsby

Comments

Leave well alone. If you want to see the results of progress, visit Grimsby. There is nothing of historical value left here.

Name:

E.J. Horne

Location:

Sunbury, Middlesex,UK

Comments

I was introduced to York 25 years ago by my young wife who had studied Chemistry at the University. We have returned repeatedly adding to our family over the intervening years. The proposed development is tantamount to rape of this historic city and should be opposed with all the forces at your disposal. Good Luck.

Name:

Kate Moores

Location:

York

Comments

Don't ruin our town or its historic landmarks. Too many capitalist monstrosities have already destroyed too much around the country.

Name:

Martin Timson

Location:

Liverpool

Comments

This historic site commemorates a horrific and terrible crime in the year 1190CE when Jewish people were persecuted and murdered. It is crucially important that all racism, anti-semitism and bigotry is fought against today. To do this we must not forget the past. Cliffords tower should stand and the planned retail development which would overshadow it should not be built there.

Name:

Mrs. Linda Willhite

Location:

Tijeras, NM, USA

Comments

How can anyone even THINK about building this shopping center next to this important piece of history? My husband, daughter and myself were just in York 2 1/2 weeks ago, and were just stunned by the majesty of this tower, and now I'm even more stunned by this news. We walked all over the shopping areas and historic sites of York, and found no evidence that a new shopping center would improve even one thing about York, especially at this site. Tell the developers that you don't need to become as commericalized as we have here in the states. I was also shocked to see a sign on a historic-looking clock tower in Oxford that said "Welcome to Oxford, from Sainsbury". I cringed at that, too. Please, please, hold on tight to every piece of history that you can. All good luck to you and your work. Best wishes, Linda Willhite, Tijeras, New Mexico, USA. (kiamera@msn.com)

Name:

Theo Joos

Location:

Antwerp Belgium

Comments

Preserve! This is a part of city tourism and city economics in its own way. Antwerp city council is coming back on those decisions.Succes !

Name:

Jackie Power

Location:

London

Comments

This re-development mania must stop; the local planning authority has got to stop giving the green light to developers for inappropriate schemes in sensitive sites.

Name:

Location:

Comments

Name:

sdff

Location:

Comments

Name:

Cole Parker

Location:

United States

Comments

I have never been to britan but a adore things from the middle ages. Destruction of any relic of the past is an absolute outrage!!!

Name:

Cory Mason

Location:

York

Comments

I believe that Cliffords Tower should be kept as it is. The money used to produce this 'development' could be used to go towards the maintenance of the citys historics or even to give the homeless homes. Cliffords Tower is beautiful don't distroy it!!

Name:

PERON Michel

Location:

STAUBIN S/MER Normandie FRANCE

Comments

Sauvons ce site unique et sa perspective et son histoire.

Name:

Holly Buchanan

Location:

Minneapolis, MN, USA

Comments

I wish you success in your grass-roots effort to stop the introduction of big box retail into this cultural and historic setting! As an American, I am embarassed by the values these corporations represent. We're not all so materialistic and short-sighted as that.

Name:

stephan neupert

Location:

york

Comments

We ,my wife and I now five children came to live in York five years ago and we enjoy many of the historic sites everyday. Foreigners seem to cherish the importance of the very centre of York much more thanthe city council ! It springs to mind that it was Parliament who saved the city´s walls in the past ! Does the council think that tourists will come anyway no matter what they allow ? They should be in a stronger position to negociate with companies and look at more than shortterm moneys !!

Name:

Adam Merchant

Location:

Waterloo, ON, Canada

Comments

Some things should not be for sale.

Name:

Stuart D. Elder

Location:

Cork, Ireland

Comments

It's despicable really, even to think of tampering with the area around Cliffords Tower. Leave it alone.

Name:

Marie Hadley

Location:

Stockton-On-Tees

Comments

I hope that the area around Clifford's Tower isn't ruined by modern developments. One look at my own town centre tells me the damage that can be done by such projects. We lost a listed church building to the greed of modern developers. It's replacement are a few shops - while in other areas of the town there are plenty of vacant buildings that they could occupy. Just a walk down Coney Street tells me that such as development in York isn't needed.

Name:

Emma

Location:

Cheshire

Comments

i visit York every year around christmas time and have done ever since i can remember. i love the city and would hate to see anything tacky and out of place to built and ruin the history and culture of such an old and elegant city. SO I SO NO TO THE SHOPPING MALL!!Stop being greedy and respect what other peolple want!!

Name:

Jacqueline Hingston

Location:

New Zealand

Comments

Coming from Yorkshire, I feel this is a ludicrous scheme. York is known as one of the most historical sites still in existence. On a more mundane level, I have learned from personal experience that York already has parking problems, this scheme will only compound them.

Name:

Chris Barlow

Location:

County Durham.England

Comments

Although i now reside in another county, York was birth city and home for 27 years and i always loved the history of the city and all the historic places, i feel it would be so wrong to encroach on this monument and the nearby museum with todays modern building developements thus spoiling the whole atmosphere of such a prominent historical site.

Name:

Chris Barlow

Location:

County Durham.England

Comments

Although i now reside in another county, York was birth city and home for 27 years and i always loved the history of the city and all the historic places, i feel it would be so wrong to encroach on this monument and the nearby museum with todays modern building developements thus spoiling the whole atmosphere of such a prominent historical site.

Name:

Hans Liu

Location:

Taiwan

Comments

I'm from Taiwan and just graduated from the University of York one years ago. As a part of my sweet memory studying in York, I was once moved deeply by the historic Clifford's Tower, York Minster, City Walls and other great British heritages. I'm really attracted to your culture, but also shocked by such a news. As one of the great nations in the world, please do preserve them for the later generations.

Name:

Hans Liu

Location:

Taiwan

Comments

I'm from Taiwan and just graduated from the University of York one years ago. As a part of my sweet memory studying in York, I was once moved deeply by the historic Clifford's Tower, York Minster, City Walls and other great British heritages. I'm really attracted to your culture, but also shocked by such a news. As one of the great nations in the world, please do preserve them for the later generations.

Name:

DONNA HARTIGAN

Location:

NEW ZEALAND

Comments

pLEASE DON'T DESTROY CLIFFORD'S TOWER OR SURROUNDING AREAS. TOO MANY HISTORICAL BUILDINGS, AREAS AND RELICS ARE BEING DESTROYED AS IT IS. AND BESIDES I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO VISIT IT YET! i DON'T WANT TO GET THERE AND LOOK AT AN UGLY SHOPPING COMPLEX, WE HAVE PLENTY OF THOSE IN MY OWN COUNTRY.

Name:

hazel calvert

Location:

sherburn in elmet

Comments

More shops are not required

Name:

andrew calvert

Location:

hambleton

Comments

keep buildings in the style of the surrounding area.

Don't spoil what is there

Name:

margaret bottomley

Location:

sherburn in elmet

Comments

Name:

derek bottomley

Location:

sherburn in elmet

Comments

Name:

derek bottomley

Location:

sherburn in elmet

Comments

Name:

derek bottomley

Location:

sherburn in elmet

Comments

Name:

jenny clark

Location:

wistow common

Comments

Name:

philip clark

Location:

wistow common

Comments

Name:

jenny bennet

Location:

sherburn in elmet

Comments

Name:

john bennett

Location:

sherburn in elmet

Comments

Name:

john potts

Location:

Comments

Name:

john potts

Location:

sherburn in elmet

Comments

Name:

angie wilton

Location:

church fenton

Comments

Name:

Joanna Tacon

Location:

St Brieuc, France

Comments

I go on holiday to Yorkshire every year with my family, and a trip to York is a definite highlight - the city is a beautiful, historic place which should be protected against the proposed 'development', which would ruin a fascinating, unique piece of England. When will the madness stop??

Name:

holly cooper

Location:

york

Comments

cliffords tower is a beautiful place.

Name:

holly cooper

Location:

york

Comments

cliffords tower is a beautiful place.

Name:

holly cooper

Location:

york

Comments

cliffords tower is a beautiful place.

Name:

Hamel

Location:

Luxembourg

Comments

We are a family living a luxembourg but with roots in Normandy: Quinéville between St Mére Eglise and St Vaast La Hougue and we dont accept the mercantil orientation that people want to give to this monument , part of our common history. Don't let destroy our history; Our young people merit to know and to admire this monument.

Name:

Xavier Duchesne

Location:

Caen, Normandy

Comments

I don't speak in english very well. But, I like our history. So, I say no ! Please ! Where are your soul ? Money is not future. Don't sully the memory of our ancestors !

Name:

Malcolm Coward

Location:

Rufforth, York

Name:

Location:

Name:

Location:

Name:

Teri S Kelly

Location:

Lexington, KY

Comments

I visited Clifford's Tower on my first trip to England in 1997, the week Princess Diana was killed, and loved it. If ancient structures such as this are turned into mini malls, why would I spend $1200 on airline tickets to see what I can see less than 2 blocks from my house in Kentucky?

Name:

Beverley Windley

Location:

15 Acacia Drive, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2TS

Comments

Having spent several enjoyable holidays in and around York (last there in 2001 and hoping to stay again this year, 2003) I feel that there is enough good shopping in and around the City of York without adding a complete eyesore to an otherwise beautiful city. This fair land of ours is becoming "overshopped" and we are entitled to leave some of our heritage behind for future generations. I cannot see Time Team 3000 becoming overly excited about digging up yet another British Shopping Mall!

Name:

h forster

Location:

Finland

Comments

Money talks. Disgusting isn't it?

Name:

mike mcloughlin

Location:

southport

Comments

Do not let this happen! we are robbing our children of their heritage

Name:

Jan Wesselmann

Location:

Muenster, Germany

Comments

You can't build a shopping mall on such a nice and old place

Name:

Wendy Shepherdson

Location:

Ontario, Canada

Comments

This is one of my very favorite places in the world and when ever I manage to get over to England I make a point of spending a few days in York.Please do not spoil it's beauty and charm.

Name:

Ian Armitage

Location:

Northfleet, Kent

Comments

Although I now live in Kent, I have taken my children & grandchildren to Clifford's Tower Too much of our heritage is been lost, what is there going to be for our future generations?

Name:

M.K.Webster

Location:

Camborne Cornwall

Comments

Truro Cathedral was built around with modern shops it was spoilt. A huge development was Marks and Spencer. It had to be "There on the cathedral doorstep". Now M&S have moved to the edge of town ?.

Name:

Poutrel Daniel

Location:

Periers ( Normandie)

Comments

Name:

P.griffiths

Location:

Barnsley

Comments

To city council-Leave the area around cliffords tower alone, our descendants will thank us for it

Name:

Alex

Location:

Nottingham

Comments

Don't let them do it, Yorkies!

Name:

phill

Location:

preston lancs

Comments

what the hell is going on you turn your back for one minute and ther putting up a shopping mall i lived in york for 5 years i havn't been back for about 2 years but my work dose somtimes take back over that way they can't out anything next to cliffords tower its one of the great landmarks in york. make it nice more grass less cars as an expat i feel horrified at the thought of sombody being able to stand there in york and say wouldn't that be a good place for a shopping mall are these people on mind altering drugs the carpark was a mistake the only thing york needs is looking after it dosn't need anything adding to it

Name:

phill

Location:

preston lancs

Comments

what the hell is going on you turn your back for one minute and ther putting up a shopping mall i lived in york for 5 years i havn't been back for about 2 years but my work dose somtimes take back over that way they can't out anything next to cliffords tower its one of the great landmarks in york. make it nice more grass less cars as an expat i feel horrified at the thought of sombody being able to stand there in york and say wouldn't that be a good place for a shopping mall are these people on mind altering drugs the carpark was a mistake the only thing york needs is looking after it dosn't need anything adding to it

Name:

Hazel Evans

Location:

Western Australia

Comments

I was in the UK last year and took my husband to see York as he had never seen it, all my memories came flooding back about all the great sites. Please dont ruin this one.

Name:

David Hill

Location:

Todmorden, Lanashire

Comments

It's 'good' to see that it's not just our local council which is 'inept'. The development in York is a terrible idea, the people of York elected the council, why can't the council put the people's views first?

Name:

ada arkwright

Location:

Todmorden

Comments

What a disgrace have you no sense of history, talk about lining your own pockets whilst destroying a beautiful city, put it somewhere else, I can think of a few suggestions where!

Name:

David Hamilton

Location:

Halesowen

Comments

Save the tower. Send me details.

david_martin_hamilton@yahoo.co.uk

Name:

David Hamilton

Location:

Halesowen

Comments

Save the tower. Send me details.

david_martin_hamilton@yahoo.co.uk

Name:

Todd Shearer

Location:

Maryland, USA

Comments

While I am an American, I spent many years living in Yorkshire, and find it disgraceful that people are even contemplating developing the area around Clifford's tower. Coming from a country that seriously lacks any great amount of history, I find it unbeleivable that this plan is being considered. Stop it now, please, before you destroy something that cannot be replaced.

Name:

Barry Grove

Location:

Barnsley

Comments

Although I now live in Barnsley, I am originally from York, and cannot afford to live there now due to it becoming an enclave of the rich and wealthy!

Hasn't York already got enough shops and malls, I was devasted when I saw the plans, I always thought that the car park should go and be replaced with a park or green area, but, no the planning department at York City Council is once again thinking about the money. Well fuck em, they have gone too far this time.

I say make it as hard for them as possible.

Resist!

Name:

Katherine Yarrow

Location:

Hartlepool

Comments

Save Grannie's sandcastle!

Name:

Charles J Endicott

Location:

Carrollton Mo

Comments

This castle is really awsome and I love the picture.

Name:

Lin Beckett

Location:

Broadstairs Kent

Comments

I have visited York on many occasions and this historic landmark should be left to dominate the surrounding area. The empty shops in the city centre will increase if you go ahead and build this superfluous shopping centre!!

Name:

Allan Dilworth

Location:

Fulford,York.

Comments

To drown this beautiful,ancient momument in yet more unwanted and totally unecessary shops would be verging on the criminal.What we have here is sheer greed manifesting itself,our council and its councillors should be ashamed of such vandalism. What we need is a pleasant open area for the benefit of both tourists and residents,not to mention future generations.No!!! to this appaling development!

Name:

Steve Lofthouse

Location:

Germany

Comments

Please stop this nonsense!! York has more than enough shopping facilities. York City Council should not be looking to boost it´s short term financial situation but serving it´s citzens by furthering sustainable development. Protecting the Clifford Tower site, will improve the quality of life in York and increase revenue long term through tourism. Selling this site off is short sighted and I ask myself, "Where will it all end ?" The answer is more than worrying! York born ex-pat.

Name:

Besnardeau Wilfrid

Location:

Calvados, France

Comments

Menez le combat contre ce centre commercial qui, s'il est vraiment nécessaire, peut bien être bâti ailleurs ! Bravo pour votre opération de sauvegarde du patrimoine.

Name:

John F King

Location:

Bishophill, york

Comments

York is expanding into a major UK city but it's open green space is not proportionate to the new housing developments. Green space and trees are needed in the centre and districts to keep / improve the balance for all.

Name:

Frébourg damien

Location:

Normandy-France

Comments

Keep your castle safe. Don't do the same, some people do with our falaise castle in Normandie.

Name:

Kevin Harrison

Location:

USA

Comments

Why ruin such a great city?

Name:

Jane Woodman

Location:

USA

Comments

We visit York whenever we can and will be coming back next February. We come for the poeple and the place because we love both. The last thing the UK needs is the kind of commercial ugliness that has spread everywhere in the US. We don't have the history you do, but we can appreciate it when we see it. If you ruin it for yourselves, you're ruining it for us, too. If the developers don't care about their own people, maybe they'll care about the tourist dollars lost when they ruin the beauty and history of an area.

We wish you (and, by extension, ourselves)the best. John and Jane Woodman North Carolina, USA

Name:

Michael Barrie

Location:

Harrogate

Comments

As a retired former retail property Director, I am well aware of the high density commercial development Land Securities will have to build in order to make it financially viable. If this scheme goes ahead it will certainly change the character of York City Centre with the likelihood of Coney Street and surrounding streets becoming a tawdry wastelad. This may sound dramatic but it has happened in may cities where an secondary sited scheme has been developed. To allow a scheme of any sort adjacent to such an historic area shows the Local Authority to be arrogant, self-seeking and totally insensitive. You can reach me at smbarrie@fsmail.net

Name:

Michael Barrie

Location:

Harrogate

Comments

As a retired former retail property Director, I am well aware of the high density commercial development Land Securities will have to build in order to make it financially viable. If this scheme goes ahead it will certainly change the character of York City Centre with the likelihood of Coney Street and surrounding streets becoming a tawdry wastelad. This may sound dramatic but it has happened in may cities where an secondary sited scheme has been developed. To allow a scheme of any sort adjacent to such an historic area shows the Local Authority to be arrogant, self-seeking and totally insensitive. You can reach me at smbarrie@fsmail.net

Name:

Patrick BEAUDRY

Location:

Bayeux, Normandy, France

Comments

I saw a report on the french TV last wednesday(02/26/03). What a pity ! All my support for your fight ! My best wishes to save your historical site and our common ancestor's castle. May the force be with you ;-)) Patrick

Name:

Debbi Purkerson

Location:

US

Comments

Though I live in the US preservation of the history of our culture should be saved for the future generations of man. As a living record ,so to speak, for generation to tour and study the lifestyles and cultures of our past. Europe has a history that needs preserved, and even such a quaint tower has a story to tell to future generations. To let industy destroy such a beautiful peice of history would be a injustice and for all things another shopping mall.

There is much ugliness in the world today please save something beautiful.

Sincerely An American

Name:

Clifford Elmer

Location:

Cheadle, Cheshire

Comments

I was born and brought up in York, attending nearby Fishergate School. A visit to Clifford's Tower and the Museum was a regular treat in the 1950's for myself and my sisters. How much more beautiful it would be with the waterside park scheme. No more shops please!

Name:

Sigrid+Peter Schild

Location:

D-71032 Böblingen

Name:

John Allen

Location:

Manchester

Comments

Whilst I have never lived in York I have found memories of the many visits there. My farther who passed away two years ago was brought up in Cliffton Green. As kids we would spend weeks on end in York, visiting my grandperants and great grandperants. Please dont take away all those memories. Keep york as it is!!!!

Name:

K. Snyder

Location:

U.S.A.

Comments

Protect your heritage! This is sacred ground. We here in the U.S. also have to fight to preserve our historic sites from sprawning development. Many of our Civil War sites are in danger of some developer building homes or a shopping mall. All of these areas worldwide must be respected as hallowed land.

Name:

Wes Mohr

Location:

Houston Texas USA

Comments

I have traveled to your beautiful city and feel there should not be any development near this historic site that could detract from its historical significance. Thank you for this opportunity to express my opinion.

Wes Mohr

Name:

Natalie

Location:

York

Comments

Name:

Sarah

Location:

US

Comments

You should forget your greed and leave this beautiful historic area alone. Aren't there enought ugly shopping malls in this world? My ancestors came from all over Europe, as most everyone's have, and I would like for these sites of our culture and history left alone so that I and my children and grandchildren can visit, and experience the wonder of it. What is so wrong with the beauty of nature and our history, that people like this want to abolish it and fill it with concrete and metal and overcrowding, just to make a buck?

Name:

John Ridgway

Location:

Leicester, U.K.

Comments

I have lived in the Midlands all my life and visited York on many occasions. To turn this wonderful, unique area of the city into the same as any other city in the world would be vandalism of huge proportions. If a new shopping area is essential take it outside. To even think of this project smacks of corruption.

Name:

Helen Sant

Location:

York

Comments

I don't like the sound of the proposed idea, because the area around there is very beautiful and a shopping centre would spoil that. York seems to have plenty of shops already. I have always loved York and have recently moved here, I think many of the modern shops are ugly and spoil the historical charm of the city which attracts so many people.

Name:

Prof Bernard Knight CBE

Location:

Cardiff

Comments

This is another flagrant violation of the country's heritage, in the name of 'development', a word which should struck from the language! How can any city officials, with an IQ of greater than 50, even contemplate such vandalism for the sake of yet another retail oulet to satisfy short-term consumerism. If Britons still had the guts of their forebears, they would organise lynching parties!

Name:

pierre

Location:

Caen, Normandy

Comments

As a Norman and an English teacher I think York is a part of our common heritage. We already have seen vandalism in Falaise! We do not want to see it again. Our past is part of our future.

Name:

J D Gillies

Location:

Glasgow

Comments

Think again!!!

Name:

Daniel Leeson

Location:

California

Comments

I have often read about the terrible events that occurred in York in the 12th century. It represents a moral wrong to ignore what happened and to construct a shopping center at that place. Let it alone. Let the English and the rest of the world ponder what happened there because of intolerance.

Name:

David Marsden

Location:

Tampa, Fl, USA

Comments

I am a very proud Yorkshireman, living in Florida and when I read about what people want to do in the name of "PROGRESS" it breaks my heart! Leave our proud Heritage out of your Madcap schemes, PLEASE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Name:

Ole Feldkamp

Location:

Duelmen, Germany

Comments

I was there 11 years ago and it is such a wonderful place. It would be more that sad if something of its old charm get's distroyed

Name:

P M Spitoni

Location:

Glasgow

Comments

Having recently visited Clifford's Tower I cannot believe that the City of York Council could consider distubing the beauty of this site. The view of the tower in all it's splendour is one of the most memorable sights that I have taken home from my visit. Please, please do not continue with your plans!!!!!!!

Name:

Joan Baronberg

Location:

Denver, Colorado, USA

Comments

I have visited your lovely city 3 times and would like to come again. However, I am very chagrined that anyone would think to treat this important site so disrespectfully. I thought it was only the old USSR and eastern Europe who paved over cemeteries and used gravestones to make park benches out of. We must all remember our past, so that we don't have to relive it--individually or collectively.

Name:

Alan Lambert

Location:

Pittsburgh, PA USA

Comments

Let the people of York and the surrounding districts decide and as a Yorkshireman I hope they decide against any new developement.

Name:

Claudine Houdart

Location:

CLECY France

Comments

La tour Cliffords ne doit pas être défigurée. Respectons le patrimoine anglo-normand. Des monuments tels que celui de York doivent être sauvés de la dégradation mercantile !

Name:

Shelagh Clark

Location:

London

Comments

Even though I live in London now I was born in Yorkshire and am very saddened to find Clifford's Tower is going to be DESECRATED,it is one of the few places I make a point of visiting whenever possible, we have more than enough shopping centres coming out of our earholes do we really need another one??!!!!

Name:

Richard Grant

Location:

Newcastle upon Tyne

Comments

The city of York is showing a remarkable insensitivity to Jews everywhere by its acquiescence in allowing planning permission for the proposed development. The development should not be allowed to proceed. Cliffords Tower is a memorial to those who died within its walls and should be respected as such.

Name:

Simon Hodges

Location:

SE London

Comments

Down with this sort of thing !

Name:

PELLERIN

Location:

GREGY/YERRES FRANCE

Comments

Nous sommes avec vous pour defendre le patrimoine anglo normand il suffit d'avoir defigurer le chateau de Falaise

Name:

Malcolm Meeson

Location:

Leeds West-Yorkshire

Comments

Do not allow the degeneration of this historic and beautiful area of York. All efforts must be made to preserve our heritage for our children and our children's children.

Name:

David ford

Location:

Beckenham Kent

Comments

I take a holiday every year based in york and have noticed how development is steadily eating into the heart of the city. There are ample shopping facilities already without encroaching further into the already congested area of the inner city.

Name:

Barry Vickers

Location:

Edinburgh, Scotland

Comments

Gerroff!

Name:

Barry Vickers

Location:

Edinburgh, Scotland

Comments

Gerroff!

Name:

Ali Hunt

Location:

Bristol :-(

Comments

I was born in 1955. Since then I have seen the face of what was a beautiful land turn into something that resembles Cleopatra with a nasty dose of necrotising fasciitis. NO MORE!! Leave our children somewhere to fit to live! Don't the rich care about their children at all? Don't they care that they too have to breathe this filth; absorb these toxins? Rich and poor alike - we ALL soak up the radiation, the free radicals, the heavy metals. Everyone who lives off the profits of the consumerism that builds these horrible 'developments' - whether it is dividends from BT shares, Balfour Beatty or any other corporation that caters to the wasteful 'easy' life - is guilty of poisoning their own children and the entire planet.

If 'development' doesn't stop NOW - then all the money in the world won't be able to buy clean air, water or food to eat. Start saving the planet by putting a stop to the destruction of this beautiful place.

Name:

Dave Perry

Location:

York

Comments

We must ensure that this ancient site be protected in a sensitive and aesthetic way. No amount of commercial pressure should deter those determined to thwart the City of York Council's horrific plans. How can these so-called City Fathers sleep in their beds at night knwoing that if they have their, possibly corrupt, way that the City of York will be seen as leading the way in the wholesale rape and destruction of our heritage. More power to the campaign.

Name:

englestown

Location:

hull

Comments

having visited york on a number of occasions i find that the proposal would mar that area and would create a traffic problem

Name:

Sinéad Sellers

Location:

York

Name:

Mark Adderley

Location:

Manchester, M41 7BN

Comments

Sirs,

I have visited & enjoyed York many times, the authentic historical atmosphere is unique. Don't let them destroy yet another part of our English heritage!

In fact we should strive to get rid of the unsuitable buildings from the 60s', 70s' etc that already detract from some parts of the old city within the walls not build more!

Look what the "modernisers" & "improvers" have already done to Chester & other once atractive ancient cities!

Good Luck!

Name:

Jess Thompson

Location:

Pennsylvania, USA

Comments

I am a high school student, and one of our assignments was to research a part of Jewish history. I chose the massacre of Jews at York. During my research, I happened to stumble across the news that a development might be built near Clifford's Tower, and I was outraged. The tower serves as a painful reminder of the horrors of that night in 1190, a reminder that many people in this world sorely need. To put modern developments beside a building of such significance would would be a disgrace.

Name:

Bil Curd

Location:

Dartford

Comments

Just dont do it guys we've all gota do what we can to protect the countrys heratage for future generations.

Name:

Donna Haw

Location:

Bradford

Comments

I think it's a ridiculous idea. Isn't anything worth keeping as it was any more???

Name:

tommy foster

Location:

U.S.A.

Comments

We went no war on Irqua(?) and no castles getting nocked down or any castle getting nocked down AT ALL

Name:

Angela Brown

Location:

nottingham

Comments

With tourism and our heritage becoming an increasingly important national resource, I feel that this development would be extremely detrimental to the economic future of York. There are plenty of alternative sites for shopping malls - they is only one Cliffords Tower.

Name:

Arthur Johnson

Location:

Pocklington

Comments

I support the objection to this commercial development so near to our unique monument. This would be unthinkable in any other historic city or town in Britain.

Name:

Cynthia M. Elliott

Location:

Ontario, Canada

Comments

I was horrified on reading what has been planned by York City Council for the Clifford Tower Area. I am an expat. from Bulmer, , York. I abhore the thought of yet another Shopping Mall in a City with the Historic importance of York. This is a City renouned throughout the world for its ancient walls and monuments and I say NO to such desicration!

I have always been proud of our heritage and have brought my grandchildren up to know about the City of York and and its unique History, and also about the "Clifford Tower" and its memorial to remind the world, of what happens, when interracial fear rules. It is a reminder of "Man''s Inhumanity to Man". It should not be desicrated by modern mans inability to focus on the lessons of the past - this is something we all expect in North America - Not in the Ancient City of York.

Sincerely Cynthia M. Elliott

Name:

Cyndy Gephart

Location:

Decatur, Illinois USA

Comments

We recently visited York on holiday and Clifford's Tower was one of our favorite sites in York to see. It would be a shame to spoil it with a modern shopping centre. The daffodils were gorgeous on the hill. The history should not be over-shadowed by the all mighty pound. Surely there are other areas a shopping centre can be built?

Name:

Laurance Sullivan

Location:

Silver Spring,Md. U.S.A.

Comments

First of all, save your history, once it's gone you can't get it back and reading about it in a book is just not the same as experiencing it first hand. Second of all my wife bought a little tea pot from a store in the Shambles which we brew our tea in, what a delight. I truly love England, been there twice and can't wait to get back, especially the countryside. Sullivan@boo.net

Name:

Kevin

Location:

Comments

Name:

Kobus Pelser

Location:

Johannesburg South-Africa

Comments

Although I was in York on holiday, I still feel part of it and it would be a shame to destroy such a beautiful heritage for our generations to follow. We would like to KEEP IT JUST AS IT IS!!

Name:

L. A. Faucheux

Location:

Comments

Name:

Faucheux

Location:

New Orleans, La, USA

Comments

By what right does a soul destroy what has survived a thousand years and is held in trust for every soul living and every soul to come after?

Name:

Adele S. L.

Location:

New York

Comments

As an ex Londoner and past visitor to York, and particularly Clifford's Tower, I cannot believe such a proposition can be under serious discussion. If we allow a site of such historical importance to be desecrated what will be next? Perhaps old cemeteries could be built over, for carparks and industrial parks, such as the Polish did to the Jewish cemeteries after WWII!

Name:

Audin's

Location:

Toronto Canada

Comments

Leave things alone.

Name:

BEAUGEY FRANCOIS

Location:

72 ASNIERES- FRANCE

Comments

SAVE OUR EUROPEAN HERITAGE

Name:

Jjohn Giguere

Location:

Wisconsin, USA

Comments

Haven't we lost enough in the way of human artifacts and history of late?

Name:

John Bell

Location:

Cambridgeshire

Comments

I welcome a park around and about Clifford's Tower. It would give the eye of Yorkshire a calm, contemplative feel and it certainly would be a recreational asset for its citizens. York could do with a few more natural lungs near its heart.

Name:

Robert Levin

Location:

Berlin, Germany

Comments

Don't spoil that historic monument with a shopping mall! I visit Britain because of its nature and heritage, not for shopping. For hanging around in shopping malls I can stay at Berlin. You should be aware of protecting the goods which attract people from overseas. Best wishes!

Name:

Haiko Wieland

Location:

Berlin Germany

Name:

Joe Ann Ricca

Location:

The Richard III Foundation, Inc.

Comments

Protect one of the great historical sites of this historical city. Developments can be made but not at the expense of the history and heritage of the City of York.

Name:

susan britt

Location:

leicestershire

Comments

York being one of our favorite places to visit, I am amazed anyone would consider building shops in this area. Has the obsession with shopping become so great that it doesn't matter where they are so long as more and more are built, and peoples wishes are just ignored. In a historic place such as York I would have thought there are enough shops already. Once something is ruined you can't put it back as it was.Please make the planners rethink this ridiculous idea.

Name:

Roselle Fairbrooke

Location:

York

Comments

There are a lot of justified comments about the area already surrounding Clifford's Tower. Coppergate, the merge of the Rivers Ouse and Foss and the ugly little rows of shops are a disgrace.

It's an insult to York's heritage to make the area any worse by adding a shopping centre. I was never under the impression that they can 'destroy' Clifford's Tower as it is a registered building, but it will be destroyed all the same if it is put back to back with another shopping arcade.

Shopping arcades are an American thing. Let's leave them to New York and other such places. We're perfectly happy with (what's left of) our cobbled streets and age-old shops and buildings. To build another shopping cente is a denial of some of the oldest history of the world.

What will future generations write in thier history books when all we have left them is shopping malls?

Name:

mr j f tilson

Location:

kingston upon hull

Comments

i cannot think of anything more outrageous than to contemplate this monstrosity,which should not even be built in a big hole that would hide it from view let alone in the centre of one of the most historical cities we have,money cannot rule our entire lives , some beauty and calm must be left us and i have always found YORK a wonderfully relaxing place to shop and just mooch about with no obvious pressures to buy,buy,buy.

Name:

Becky Tipper

Location:

York

Comments

York really has no need for a new shopping centre- there are plenty of lovely shops already, in an organic and attractive city centre. Tourists and locals alike would benefit infinitely more from a green open space at the site, and a place to relax and absorb York. It is a naive illusion that more shops (in faceless shopping malls) will promote tourism or bring meaningful, sustainable investment and jobs to the city. We can make York inifnitely more attractive to investment and tourists, and pleasant for residents, by making it not just another city with the identical set of shops, but somewhere unusual and proud of its history and landscape.

Name:

Jean Goodwin

Location:

South Africa

Comments

This tower is yet another reminder of Man's inhumanity to Man. The whole area around the Tower is a part of English History. leave it alone!!!

Name:

Josh Darby

Location:

Peterborough

Comments

i may live in peterborough but last year on my yr6 trip to york i saw how beutiful the arcitecture was.People from york dnt wnt 2 see this development around it they want to see the cstl

Name:

Gerald Thorpe

Location:

Armthorpe

Comments

The person who dreamed up the Idea to RUIN York with this awful development has no regard for the people of York or its Historical heritage.

We have lost too many sites in the name of 'Progress' What sickens me is none of them give a jot for public opinion or the fact they are ruining our archaeologicaly important treasures.

The people should have the power to take legal proceedings against such callus disregard.

Name:

Jen Lewis

Location:

USA

Comments

As a student, I had the opportunity to travel across Britain, visiting many sites of historical significance. However, none were like that of York, and Clifford's Tower. I find it utterly intolerable that the council would give permission to build near the ruins of the tower, which will no matter *how* tasteful, take away from the appeal, which certainly still remains. The tourist industry no doubt brings the city of York a great deal of income, and one would think this would be taken into account when such a decision was made.

Name:

Colin Checkley

Location:

Iznate, Spain

Comments

Haven't the current British government done enough damage to our proud heritage without the need to put finance before culture? Protect what little we have left....

Name:

Alan Frize

Location:

Scotland

Comments

Please don't ruin such an area of such beauty and history. What do we have if we don't have our history?

Name:

James Blewitt

Location:

York, Fishergate

Comments

York is not a shopping district. It is a historically important city and this is the main reason why there is such a good tourism industry here. I think that shopping areas are a good thing (in general), but why not build them somewhere where they won't ruin the beautiful atmosphere and historic sights of York that people travel the country to visit. I have lived here for many years and still appreciate the place. If I need to go shopping then I can go to the Designer Outlet outside the city (there are very good bus routes). Why not build them outside the city and have a bus route going there instead?! Alternatively why not redevelop the huge derelict building (the old Mega Zone building) along Picadilly?

Name:

David Booth

Location:

Leeds

Comments

The people who want this development are not doing it for York,they are wanting to blight one of the most historic, and most popular places in the city with a mall that is not needed there are plenty of retail parks on the outskirts. Also do they think shoppers visiting this place will come by public transport? not a chance. Leave the city alone.

Name:

Steve Liddle

Location:

Bedford UK

Comments

with the way things are going, why not go the full way and flatten all the medieval buildings in york ? Then you will have loads of space to build all the shopping centres that you want. Unfortunately it will be as popular for tourists as Milton Keynes is today. Ever considered building outside York City ? Please do so !

Name:

Jim Carson

Location:

Ayrshire, Scotland

Comments

I oppose the councils plans and wish to register my protest. History must be preserved and protected.

Name:

Ken Mounter

Location:

Leighton Buzzard

Comments

Born, bred in the City and proud of it. Also grateful of what has been preserved of our heritage but let us not forget the past with this future development. What next a Minster Mall???

Name:

kevin mace

Location:

gosport hants

Comments

leave it alone , or else !........i bet there is some bent councilor behind this !

Name:

John

Location:

Huntingdon

Comments

Is this right! did we not lose, enough of our history. to development, there is some land just out side, Windsor, the great park i beleve. try there, see how far you get . name`s is not cromwell, by chance

Name:

Janette Davison

Location:

Lutz, FL - USA

Comments

Clifford's tower is an outstanding asset to a beautiful town. It would be a major shame to ruin it by overdevelopment. We visit the UK only every 2 years but never miss a trip to York. We don't shop at the Coppergate centre, and would not shop at a new one. WE do visit the historice monuments of the city.

Name:

Stuart Tyrrell

Location:

Buckinghamshire

Comments

Moving forward is good but not at the expense of our heritage.

Name:

Scott Cozad

Location:

Maryland USA

Comments

I was born in Harrogate. I can remember visiting York as a kid. I always loved the tower. As I got older and started studing history my appriciation grew and grew. I think it would be a real detriment to the great city of York to have one of its greatest landmarks obscured by a shopping mall.

Name:

Scott Cozad

Location:

Maryland USA

Comments

I was born in Harrogate. I can remember visiting York as a kid. I always loved the tower. As I got older and started studing history my appriciation grew and grew. I think it would be a real detriment to the great city of York to have one of its greatest landmarks obscured by a shopping mall.

Name:

Diane Crook

Location:

Massachusetts, USA

Comments

Please preserve Clifford's Tower.

Name:

Ny Björn Gustafsson

Location:

Sweden

Comments

When I first heard of this I dismissed it as a bad joke, but now when I hear it is for real I dislike it even more. Being Swedish I can refer to when the Town counsel of Stockholm tried to "build away" their bad childhood and tore down the town's centre - they blackened their names forever and left us with ugly concrete shopping malls. Take care, ones actions can stick to ones name like bad breath for a VERY long time

/Ny Björn Gustafsson Stockholm

Name:

Herwig Weigl

Location:

Vienna, Austria

Comments

People come to York to see the historic sites. It is silly even from a purely economic point of view to destroy it.

Name:

Sue Green

Location:

Kent (born in York)

Comments

York is already swamped due to the vast increase in numbers of visitors to its relatively small city centre. It is a lot busier than my memories of it as a child. To build on the area surrounding Cliffords Tower and the Castle Museum will destroy the whole feeling of this historic part of the town and will detract from the current open feel of this area. This town is busy enough with the increased visitor numbers without encouraging more people to shop here too - where are these additional people going to park? Please keep shopping developments outside the historic part of the city. Surely there is land nearby which can be used and will provide car parking spaces too.

Name:

Peter Raftos

Location:

Sydney, Australia

Comments

My wife and I visited York for the Viking Festival in 2003. We enjoyed the hospitality of the locals and re-enactors participating. Clifford Tower was one of the things we went to see. We intend to do this again. However, if this monstrosity goes ahead we may rethink this.

Name:

Charles Dalli

Location:

Department of History,Malta

Comments

As a historian, I cannot but feel said when I learn of the intended 'developments' in York. I find the whole idea of pulling down structures like the Tower, which have resisted the ravages of time for many long centuries, to make way for yet another shopping centre, absolutely appalling; moreover, it is not just buildings which need to be saved and preserved for posterity in York, it is the _whole_ urban context. No one should be allowed to do this sacrilege; not even in the name of so-called town planning and urban development which, at the end of the day, will deprive your urban environment of its unique characteristics.

Name:

Charles Dalli

Location:

Department of History, University of Malta

Comments

As a historian, I cannot but feel said when I learn of the intended 'developments' in York. I find the whole idea of pulling down structures like the Tower, which have resisted the ravages of time for many long centuries, to make way for yet another shopping centre, absolutely appalling; moreover, it is not just buildings which need to be saved and preserved for posterity in York, it is the _whole_ urban context. No one should be allowed to do this sacrilege; not even in the name of so-called town planning and urban development which, at the end of the day, will deprive your urban environment of its unique characteristics.

Name:

Cindy Dallas

Location:

Washington, DC USA

Comments

As a tourist to York in previous years, I am appalled at the thought of putting a shopping mall on a historic site like this. Please don't lose your tourism dollars and priceless historic heritage for a shopping center that is a dime a dozen.

Name:

Matthew Poehler

Location:

Rhode Island USA

Comments

Please cancel your plans to alter this landmark and historical site. History is more important than another land development. Our heritage is dropping away more quickly than it can be preserved. You will gain more in the long run by enhancing the site by beautification and preservation of it and the surrounding area than by creating a shopping mall with built in obsolescence. That would indeed teach a lesson, but not the one you want to have to show to future generations. Build things to last, to be beautiful, and to show that history and the past is to be valued and preserved.

Name:

Kris Towson

Location:

St Andrews

Name:

Richard W. Kaeuper

Location:

Rochester, NY, USA

Name:

Becca MacLean Lyman

Location:

San Antonio, TX

Comments

Please let me assure you that those of us who would fly halfway around the world to see York are NOT doing so to see yet another mall. Please reconsider keeping your magnificent heritage unblemished.

Name:

Theresa Gross-Diaz

Location:

Chicago IL USA  The first time I had the opportunity to visit England, I made sure I saw Clifford's Tower.  It was not easy to get to; I had no car, little money, and only an old map, but I managed to find my way to the (then-isolated) castle.  The visit remains one of my fondest memories, and I still use slides of the pictures I took then - at age 18 - in my classrooms today.  My students look forward to the day they ar able to go to Europe to see what I saw.  But will they be able to?  Will Europe drown her heritage in shopping malls?  Hey, I can see shopping malls in Chicago's vapid suburbs: I don't need to cross the Atlantic for that.  PLEASE do not throw away the rarest and most priceless thing in the world - unspoiled beauty, history, memory.

Name:

Margaret Allen

Location:

Albany, NY USA

Comments

I had the delight of visiting York in the late 80's. The vistas from the top of Clifford's Tower have remained one of my favorite memories from that trip. I think it would be greatly diminished to have such large buildings built so close to it. Not to mention if there had been a shopping mall so near I might never have gone there at all. The world has more than enough shopping malls, why put one where it takes away from the history of the surrounding area.

Name:

Sean Conley

Location:

U.S.A.

Comments

Many people will visit York to see Clifford's Tower but I doubt very much that many would visit York to see a shopping mall.

Name:

Rick Gaigneur

Location:

New Brunswick, Canada

Comments

I don't live in the UK, but my family background is from England. Your heritage is my heritage too. Keep up the fight.

Name:

Fred Miller

Location:

Massachusetts, USA

Comments

Malls come and go but History is not replaceable. Save the History. I have visited York for its Tower and Museum.

Name:

Angelia Walker

Location:

USA

Comments

I've made England my yearly holiday destination precisely because of the wonderful historic sites like Clifford's Tower. Please don't make the same mistake that many US towns and cities have made: placing "progress" above an historic and cultural legacy that cannot be replaced once it has been destroyed.

Name:

James Cleek

Location:

Dallas Texas

Comments

Name:

Helen Maurer

Location:

USA

Comments

As a medieval historian and as a visitor to York, I would hate to see the Tower area destroyed. Please reconsider.

Name:

Lindsay Webster

Location:

St Andrews

Comments

Spoiling a heritage area for something as pointless as a shopping centre is insanity and those responsible should be locked up.

Name:

Ciaran Dougherty

Location:

California, USA

Comments

Commerce is a good thing, but not at the expense of history.

Name:

Jorge Araújo

Location:

Portugal

Comments

Nothing justifies such an unbearable and outrageous assault on the heritage of York. If people do not respect their past how can they respect their fellow citizens? Progress cannot be done at the expense of destroying the legacy of York. Shame on such greedy purposes!

Chief-Administrator of Inter-Medieval

Name:

Paul Eugen Camp

Location:

Special Collections, University of South Florida Library, Tampa, Florida, 33620 USA

Comments

I am an academic librarian with responsiblity for our University's Florida history collection. Although I have never had the pleasure of visiting York, I am familiar with Clifford's Tower through my interest in English mediaeval history and castle architecture.

I've just been reading about the damage done to Iraq's cultural sites by the ravages of war and social disorder. It would be ironic indeed if the integrity of a highly significant mediaeval site in the heart of one of Great Britain's most historic cities should be violated not by bombs and looters, but by a mob of shopping mall developers avid for profit. Surely a city the size of York can find an area for shopping facilities that would not compromise a national historic treasure?

Name:

Cherie Bromley

Location:

Leeds

Comments

Don't ruin Yorks marvalous history and great heritage.

If we keep adding more and more modern shopping areas its going to be come another faceless town with no character, which visitors forget very very quickly.

What do visitors to York come for? modern shopping or the rich heritage and history for which York is famous.

Name:

Nigel Oliver

Location:

Hampshire

Comments

York's cultural heritage is the envy of the rest of the country. Don't spoil it for cash!

Name:

Kate Nicholson

Location:

Llandovery

Comments

York is the most wonderful place in Great Britian, and it needs a new shopping centre like a hole in the head. The planners of the City must be aware that destroying the green areas of York will only drive people away from the city. If people wish to shop on a larger scale than currently available, then build out of Town, York is one of the few places in the UK that could compete with out of town developments.

Name:

William Whitley

Location:

Massachusetts, USA

Comments

As a once and future visitor to York, I am disgusted at the very idea of this insult to our common heritage.

Name:

Lincoln Dunn

Location:

Melbourne Australia

Comments

Cliffords tower is a beautiful, historical monument. The fact that it is still surviving in a very early form from the days of William the conquer give testament that it is something special. Any development that threatens the tower or reduces its appeal or cultural worth from where it currently stands now should be opposed as strongly as possible.

Name:

Paul Donovan

Location:

Vic, Australia

Comments

i visited cliffords tower when in york on my trip to england.  york itself was one of the highlights of england, and furthermore, the ambiance of cliffords tower in its pristine state was one of the main things which gave york its charm, the feeling of standing in front of a structure which was built almost a thousand years ago, and thinking that it still looks much the same as it did then, is a feeling which can evoke awe and wonder into any australian. are you willing to compromise that for a shopping complex?

Name:

Joanna Molloy

Location:

Australia

Comments

While I do not come from the UK I appreciate that placing a shopping mall in front of a building with so much historical significance is not really a wise move tourist wise or planning wise. Might I suggest that everyone get together and come up with a plan that suits both parties involved. Perhaps a shopping mall that fits in with the surrounds and is complementary to the history of the area and doesn't detract from the overall look of the place?

Name:

Glenda Robinson

Location:

Sydney, Australia

Comments

Am looking forward to seeing Cliffords Tower when I visit in a couple of months. It would be a terrible shame to see such a fantastic, beautifully located historical building being blocked out by something as ugly as a shopping mall. This mall could surely be built elsewhere, possibly where there is easier vehicle access for shoppers.

Name:

Dale (MacRae) Barry

Location:

Windsor, Ontario, Canada

Comments

How utterly tragic, that a wonderful piece of history and architecture is to replaced by a modern day shopping mall... I live in an automotive building city, very much up to the 21st century in everyway, but what we lack most of is our past history and our wonderful old buildings. How can anyone possibly think that our past is worthless---it is PRICELESS

Name:

Emma Hawkins

Location:

Milton Keynes

Comments

Name:

Talisien

Location:

Australia

Comments

Surely there are more appropriate places for a shopping mall. Every town in the western world has one. There is only one Cliffordstower. Please think of the future and preserve our past.

Name:

Dr. Anna Dronzek

Location:

Morris, MN, USA

Comments

Please leave Clifford's Tower as a visible, accessible monument to York's history! (From a college professor of medieval history.)

Name:

Richard EGAN

Location:

Newport Pagnell 

Comments

Please leave this wonderful monument alone, I think that you have many other spaces available outside or on the edge of the City that would be more appropriate.

Name:

A.H.Barton

Location:

YORK

Comments

City of York Council was most undemocratic in forcing the York Tomorrow movement to withdraw from the Public Enquiry through threat of financial action. This is typical of the council which takes NO notice of the electorate until election time. It would be monstrous to build a shopping mall within the shadow of Cliffords Tower. There are enough shopping outlets in the city or on the outskirts. We should preserve the land around Cliffords Tower for future generations. Best of luck in your campaign

Name:

Cynthia Baker

Location:

San Diego, California

Comments

Once lost, can never be regained.

Name:

Alex Cameron

Location:

Fulford/Heslington

Comments

Cliffords tower is a great building as wel as the surrounding castle, there is no doubt in my mind that Coppergate II will spoil the ambience of this area, it must be stopped.

Originally from Manchester, attending York University.

Name:

Patricia  Morrison

Location:

New York NY USA

Comments

As a New Yorker, I protest this atrocity being wrought against old York. We have little enough left here; don't take more away there.

Name:

Dianne Tillotson

Location:

Australia

Comments

As a visitor who has extensively explored York over a number of years, I have watched some of York's heritage treasures being resurrected from the ground and under run down building facades. It would be a crime if corporate greed negated this process and buried them under the sort of ugly mess you can find in any busy city. York's building heritage is its greatest asset and must be preserved.

Name:

William Stocks

Location:

Hemel Hempstead

Comments

Too many of our historical sites are being destroyed or their context changed beyond recognition due to building and urban development. Such sites and surrounding areas are "easy" targets for developer and should valued at the same level as other significant locations within York and the UK in general (e.g. York Minster would not be redeveloped!). Please find a way of respecting our heritage while providing for the needs of the people of York.

Name:

Joan

Location:

New Zealand

Comments

I am originally from Yorkshire and I willingly support this campaign to stop the so called development - what development - destruction is what it is. We should value our heritage-it cannot be replaced.

Name:

Nicole Kipar

Location:

Kent

Comments

I have been to York many times and have participated in wonderful re-enactments at the Eye of York. How DARE the city destroy history and unique cultural heritage! I am apalled and disgusted, and a word of warning to those Who Are Guilty: visitors and tourists will vote with their feet and stay away, mark my words. York is wonderful as it is, do not turn into money-greedy culture-destroying sharks without any sense for history!

Name:

John Richmond

Location:

London

Comments

Clifford's Tower is an important monument to both Jews and Christians. For the former it reminds of the essential difference between the two faiths and, for the latter, it is a reminder of the dangers of lack of tolerance and money.

Name:

Abigail Schroer

Location:

Trier, Germany

Comments

Name:

Edward Cox

Location:

Ames, Iowa USA

Comments

I find the proposed developmet a hideous intrusion upon the fabric not only Cliffords Tower but that of the Museum as well. I travel to Great Britain every year to continue my research and I make sure to spend a few days in York each time. I have always been impressed by the way the city of York has tried to maintain and protect its heritage. I see this scheme as a giant step away from that commitment.

Name:

Kate Mulholland

Location:

YORK

Comments

Name:

Colin Reilly

Location:

Waltham Abbey

Comments

Much to many of our towns green areas are now threatened by companies in for a quick profit at the expense of local residents leisure areas, But how can people on a local town council be so blind as not to see people don't want to give up areas which hold such a fascination with so many, pride in our history and who don't want everything carpeted in concrete!

Name:

C. Allison Hewett

Location:

Concord, MA, USA

Comments

I hope that Clifford's Tower can be preserved; it was one of the most striking sites I had the chance to visit in England.

Name:

John F King

Location:

Bishophill, York

Comments

Clifford's Tower needs to be regenerated as a green space at the centre of York. safe, pleasant gardens, linking the Foss and the Ouse

Name:

John Watson

Location:

Redcar

Comments

This idea is stupid beyond belief.

People come to York to see things as they are now!

Too many Heritage sites are being destroyed due to witless and councilors. Look at the sorry state Durham City is in now!

Name:

Henrik Olsgaard

Location:

San Rafael, California, USA

Comments

"If you didn't build (or make or grow it) it doesn't belong to only you, it now belongs to the people of the world, and you don't have the moral right to unilaterally decide what to do with it! Only the the entire population of the world can do so , and only after they are provided adequate knowledge of it and the consequences of their collective decision!"

Look at what just happened in Iraq , to world cultural treasures of antiquity, that are now gone or destroyed, for no one's legacy. Look at the few 4% remaining of ancient Redwood trees in California and Oregon , that President George Bush is willing to let be cut down for selling to build fences. They belong to the world, not some lumber companies that want to sell the wood to "Home Depot" to sell for backyard fences!!! At the same time perfectly good fir tree lumber houses are crushed by bulldozers , to clear away that lumber so new or remodel houses can be built, rather than have lumber salvagers dismantle the lumber and save it for reuse or recycling, because it costs too much to salvage the usefull lumber, when new lumber is much cheaper to cut down and use. That is wrong, to throw away good reusable wood and cut new wood instead.! Likewise , an ancient cultural heritage should be preserved for the world , not be destroyed for a few developers to make huge personal political and or financial gain. The Norman Conquest affected not only all of Great Britain, but most of the present day Western world, and a lot of the Middle and Eastern world as well. One of the very few remaining landmarks of that event should be preserved for not only the world of today , but more importantly for the world of the future. For none of us knows what may be left to the future , if each of the artifacts and the knowledge and understandings of them are lost to the world due to accident , purpose or neglect, whether personal , political , social , religious or cultural , or not. Natural or manmade catastrophe can strike anywhere in the world , at any time. We should not squander our cultural and historical legacies, because someone wants to profit at our culture's expense. Where is the gain for our culture and society in that??

Name:

Alan Ethell

Location:

Portsmouth

Name:

Hamish Manzi

Location:

Sydney, Australia

Comments

York must be one of the most visited towns in England (I have visited twice) and surely its character, history and value for tourism and education far outweigh the short sighted development of a shopping centre in the heart of the city, that would be better suited somewhere near the ring road!

Name:

Mike Norden

Location:

Lancashire

Comments

As a regular visitor to York I love the history and beauty of the older unspoiled parts. This is what brings myself and other visitors into York and its surrounding areas. I am appalled that the labour council are even entertaining these so called 'developers' in the area of Cliffords Tower. Naturally I ask myself why anyone anyone who supposedly represents the interests of the city would do this. The only answer that comes is the old adage. 'You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours' I have unfortunately watched 'retired' councillors in my local area accept directorships and consultancy fees with development companys (after ceasing to be re-elected) and after wasting huge amounts of ratepayers money in legal fees in the face of overwelming opposition to their support for 'developments' Vote them out now. Good luck

Name:

J Shearer

Location:

York

Comments

Once again profit and underhand tactics threaten the heritage of one of the most historic places in the UK. Shame on the developers and the nearsighted, weak and personally motivated councillors who support this (and several other) dubious developments.

Name:

Margaret Evans

Location:

Milton Keynes

Comments

This ancient and beautiful tower should not become part of a shopping mall. Leave our history for future generations to enjoy. A unique experience would be turned into something tawdry and ordinary. Aspects of the Tower would be destroyed forever. Spoiling the very thing that tourists to York come to see. You can shop anywhere - but Clifford's Tower should stand alone through history as it meant to be.

Name:

Brittany Witte

Location:

Knoxville, TN USA

Name:

Franz Josef SAAR

Location:

Bradford

Comments

I am a German student in Bradford and have been up on Cliffords Tower myself. Do not ruin the nice view from there with a shopping mall!!!

Name:

Diane Storey

Location:

Poole Dorset

Comments

Having been born and bred in York, I was horrified to hear of the planned development. This cannot be right and must be stopped. York is a british treasure and should be treated as such. I try to come back to the place I love, and have loved for the last 50years at least once a year and never tire of the beauty and history. It is almost tangible. Please for the sake of future generations don't let this happen. My thoughts are with all of you trying to fight this, I only wish I could vote in the local elections. Good luck to you all.

Name:

Sally Hall

Location:

Clifton

Comments

There are enough shopping Malls already. we do not want residents and visitors alike to be encouraged to worship at yet another commershal shrine. Cliffords Tower is unique, the surrounding area should reflect this not overwhelm or dominate it.

Name:

Mark Fremantle

Location:

Nottinghamshire

Comments

Why do you need to build a shoppping centre when the centre of York has plenty of decent amenities and shops. BUild it outside the city... but actually it would be better not to build it at all.

Name:

Mark Fremantle

Location:

Nottinghamshire

Comments

Why do you need to build a shopping centre when the centre of York has plenty of decent amenities and shops. BUild it outside the city... but actually it would be better not to build it at all.

Name:

Christine Atkinson

Location:

York

Comments

Shoppergate should not be allowed. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to do something spectacular with the open space around Cliffords Tower.

Name:

Rachel Tudor

Location:

Reading, England

Comments

York is one of England's most beautiful cities and I don't think we realise the value of our own heritage, or truly appreciate the treasures on our own doorsteps; Cliffords Tower and the land around it should be left intact and unspoilt for future generations. Developing the site around Cliffords Tower would be pure vandalism.

Name:

Naomi Rose

Location:

Liverpool

Comments

I think it is a great shame that modern capitalism and materialism should be allowed to triumph over the suffering and persecution of others. No to the development of a massive shopping complex shadowing Clifford's Tower. Not in my name.....

Name:

Sylvia Hingston

Location:

Ross-shire Scotland

Comments

No Yorkshire connections other than a love for the city which we've visited several times. York does not need another trendy shopping area but there's a space, let's develop it. We seemed to have learned nothing from the desecration of our towns/cities in the 60s and 70s when the heart was torn out of so many places. Stop it now.

Name:

Tony Jones

Location:

Sussex

Comments

As a frequent tourist to York, I find the atmosphere of the Castle area and of Clifford's Tower's splendid isolation very moving. It would be a disgrace to disfigure such a place with yet another "mall".

Name:

Prof. Manuel González-Jiménez

Location:

Seville Univesity

Comments

Name:

Prof. Manuel González-Jiménez

Location:

Seville Univesity

Comments

I fully agree the petition personally and in the name of de Department of medieval History. Seville University. Spain

Name:

Sue Burrell

Location:

Ferryhill Co Durham

Comments

I do not feel that York needs another shopping centre around the Cliffords Tower area. In fact, York has an abundence of shops and I and my friends like it just the way it is. You do not need another shopping 'mall' at all!

Name:

Louise Fairclough

Location:

Norfolk

Comments

I was born in Yorkshire, and have lived in Norfolk for 3 years. I miss my home county, and was dismayed to hear about the Shoppergate scandal in York. Please stop this insanity now! Find another site to build a shopping centre.

Name:

Andy Thorley

Location:

Todmorden

Comments

I honestly can't understand why York needs another shopping complex. There's far too many retail outlets in the town already. If the developers want to build another Trafford Centre type monstrosity, maybe they should relocate their ideas to America, before it's destroyed by mythical weapons of mass destruction. The people of York and its many visitors deserve better. I hope the people responsible have the human decency to re-think their plans. People NOT Profit.

Name:

Duncan Campbell

Location:

York

Comments

It is truly astonishing that City of York Council want to build more and more shops on every last spot of land when there are already plenty of vacant retail premises in York. People and cities also need open spaces where people can breathe, and York needs more open spaces - the area around Clifford's Tower is ideal for a park leading down to the River Foss where people can take a break from the shopping frenzy.

Name:

Richard Clark

Location:

Staffordshire

Comments

It is an absolute disgrace to deface a beautiful historic area in this way

Name:

Jackie Phillips

Location:

Bristol

Comments

It's disgraceful what they are trying to do to our heritage sites, keep up the good work in trying to stop them.

Name:

Jasmine

Location:

Singapore

Comments

I feel we should keep York Castle as it is valuable history monument... why build a SHOPPING CENTRE at it's location when a mere shopping centre can be built somewhere else?

Name:

John Tull

Location:

Holgate

Comments

The elimination of green space and continued provision of car parking within the central area flies in the face of good environmental management and adversely affects the quality of residents' lives.

Name:

Chrystine Butcher

Location:

Lytham, Lancashire

Comments

Clifford's Tower is a renowned heritage site and one of the focal points of the early history of York. For it to be submerged into 21st century developments of any nature is to belittle all that has gone before, and to reduce this great city (I speak as a staunch Lancastrian!!) to yet another shopping centre!

Name:

Helen Snelson

Location:

bishopthorpe road

Comments

I oppose the development of this site with a shopping complex. The site is one of unique character and ahould be developed as a public space with sitting out areas and food stalls etc. how about an outdoor theatre/concert space?

Name:

Danny Hakimian

Location:

Finchely

Comments

I think on a site like this were thousands of our fellow Jews died should not be used as an shopping mall and ruin the atmosphere

Name:

Hugo Bieber

Location:

York University

Comments

As Chair of the York University Jewish Society, I feel that it is essential to campaign vigorously against the proposed Coppergate II development. York at present has an almost non-existent Jewish population, and the few Jews who do live in York would feel extremely disgusted at the lack of respect shown towards this proposed development.

I am aware that this is not necessarily a fair comparisson, but in terms of the UK, this is on a similar scale to the once proposed plans to build a McDonalds at Auschwitz, so please bear this in mind and vote and do everything you can to stop Coppergate II and remember with respect the 150 Jews who died in 1190.

Name:

Alan Barry

Location:

Maryland, USA

Comments

Has the City of York Council gone bonkers?

Name:

Alan Barry

Location:

Maryland, USA

Comments

Has the City of York Council gone bonkers?

Name:

Robert Johnson

Location:

University of York

Comments

I feel quite appalled that the City of York Council is apparently willing to replicate the planning mistakes of the past and ruin yet another area of one of the most beautiful cities in the United Kingdom.

Name:

Julye Lemay

Location:

Prestwich, Manchester

Comments

I come from Quebec,Canada and we don't have that chance to enjoy such old and well-preserved heritage like what you have in York. It is preposterous to mask the enchantment of a site like the Clifford's tower (which i'm very found, i've been in York twice and i'm going again for a third time). Not only you will destroy the historic image but you may destroy what is really York : a medieval town. Don't you know that in medieval time, they didn't have shopping center!!!

Name:

Tracey Barnes

Location:

Hertfordshire

Comments

Protect our historical sites for future generations! as once they are gone reading about the sites in books are not as pre educational as the real thing!!!!!

Name:

John McKenzie

Location:

York

Comments

This should not be built. We should have a park there instead

Name:

John Eccles

Location:

Blackburn Lancs

Comments

Why spoil a superb setting like this !!

Name:

Nigel Dickinson

Location:

Paris, France

Comments

I am a Yorkshireman and lived near York - Dunnington - for about 10 years; I remember Clifford's Tower as THE most prominent historical building in the City, and I feel it is scandalous that anyone should authorize the building of anything bigger or nearer to the Tower than the existing buildings. Not only have we sold our industrial heritage to all comers, but now we are destroying the rest. Makes you proud to be a Brit. When you look at the way some countries go to any lengths to preserve their heritage, what we do is a joke. Everything has to be sacrificed to the Great Gods of Profits and Marketing. This Tower has survived 1000 years of history, and it would be a crime to destroy its surroundings like this.

Name:

roy armstrong

Location:

basingstoke

Comments

its annoys me that places of historical beauty has to be surrounded by hideous new buildings.are we ashamed of our historical past that we have to hide them with new monstrous buildings designed by people with no thought to our heritige.

Name:

David Wallace

Location:

Wollongong, NSW, Australia

Comments

Our City is being overrun by greedy property developers, say no to Coppergate II and no to the destruction of Bootham Cresecent too.

http://www28.brinkster.com/fobc

When will the plunder of my hometown cease?

Name:

David McNeill

Location:

London, UK

Comments

Another attempt to ruin a historic part of a English City. Land Securities and its predecessors have done more damage than the bloody Luftwaffe. I wonder how many councillors have been bunged money or favours over this proposed development.

Name:

Suzanne Elkin

Location:

Comments

We totally sympathise and support your Campaign to protect your history and the city of York. We have been fighting a local Council, the London Borough of Bromley for six years to stop them building on the Grade II*Crystal Palace Park, the site of the Sydenham Crystal Palace. Bromley's intention is to remove Metropolitan Open Land protective status (the urban equivalent of green belt) from this area of the Park and declare it derelict land. This would allow Bromley to consider development of up to 15,000 sq metres without referral to the Mayor of London and set a precedent for parkland across the UK. This area of Crystal Palace Park is the highest point in south east London with magnificent views over London and the south east. Councils all over the country are not listening to the people they purport to represent. We have found that councillors at the far reaches of the borough, elected with a thousand votes, will pass judgement on areas they never even visit. The reason? - money. They are selling Britain's heritage to the highest bidder.

Name:

Suzanne Elkin, Secretary Crystal Palace Community Association

Location:

Crystal Palace, SE London

Comments

We totally sympathise and support your Campaign to protect your history and the city of York. We have been fighting a local Council, the London Borough of Bromley for six years to stop them building on the Grade II*Crystal Palace Park, the site of the Sydenham Crystal Palace. Bromley's intention is to remove Metropolitan Open Land protective status (the urban equivalent of green belt) from this area of the Park and declare it derelict land. This would allow Bromley to consider development of up to 15,000 sq metres without referral to the Mayor of London and set a precedent for parkland across the UK. This area of Crystal Palace Park is the highest point in south east London with magnificent views over London and the south east and has been over 'village green' for over 30 years. Councils all over the country are not listening to the people they purport to represent. We have found that councillors at the far reaches of the borough, elected with a thousand votes, will pass judgement on areas they never even visit. The reason? - money. They are selling Britain's heritage to the highest bidder. www.cpca.org.uk

Name:

David Potter

Location:

York

Comments

To allow this would ruin our beautiful city even more. We have to stop somewhere. Why should big business plough away our heritage. No to this monstrocity.

Name:

Steve Spero

Location:

San Diego, Ca USA

Comments

I visited Clifford's Tower two weeks ago on Holiday. It would be terrible to commercialize such a historic site. The historic sites are what makes the UK special.

Name:

Ena Wainwright

Location:

Seattle Washington

Comments

I live in the USA where there is little or no thought given to the history of this country, where beautiul old buildings which have been part of that history have been demolished to put in a strip mall or some other investment property. Lets not have this happen to our precious heritage, of which we are proud. Think of the tourist industry, which England relies heavily on, what tourist wants to spend there dollars on going to another mall, they could stay home and do that. So please the powers that be. "THINK TWICE" before you ruin what cant be replaced.

Name:

Victoria

Location:

Manchester

Comments

Another casualty to greed and avarice. Don't let them do it! It would destroy the historic landscape that people have come to know and love.

Name:

Greg Lawhorn

Location:

Detroit, MI USA

Comments

Clifford Castle should not be desicrated with corporate greed and those that would forget history. Having visited the tower a few years ago, I thought the area was too congested as it is. York City council should block any more development around the tower.

Name:

melanie sharp

Location:

elland

Comments

As a frequaint visitor to york it would be a crime to remove or demolish clifford's tower. Please leave it for future generations to see. there are always plenty of up and coming historians, let them see it too.

Name:

joan gollop

Location:

lyme regis

Comments

I am 60 and have remembered Clifford's Tower area as a sight of a massacre since I came to York as I child. I have normally a very poor visual memory, but the image of the tower on the green has remained with me for 50 years. I am not Jewish and have not been approached by anyone to sign the petition. I simply found references to the development when planning my forthcoming visit to York (juen 2003) and wanted to register my strongest possible voice against this.

Name:

John Allen

Location:

Dallas, Texas

Comments

I now live in the USA, originally from Manchester. It is imperative that such plans are discarded before the beautiful city of York is deformed by modern development. Website: http://www.inspirationalimports.com

Name:

Rosalyn M. Schrag

Location:

Soap Lake, WA State USA

Comments

I grew up in Rotherham & Whiston and York was one of our school field trip destinations, it was also the one place of historical value that my friends and I loved to travel to and the favourite place of my USA family when we visited England. So PLEASE do not allow the council and developers to destroy any part of Old York. It is a shame and disgrace to build any modern building within the old city of York, there are plenty of spaces without Historical York. York's historical city should be kept pristine for the enjoyment and education of all travelers from the UK and all other countries. York is unique and should be preserved not destroyed by greedy developers who are only interested in money, no wonder money was described as 'filthy lucre'. Lucre -material gain; profit, esp. illgotten; advantage. (Collins Double Book, Encyclopedia & Dictionary)

Name:

Martin Jones

Location:

Stoke-on-Trent

Comments

Clifford's tower is an important piece of medieval architecture -it's environment should be protected.

Name:

Dinsdale Shaw

Location:

Grimsby

Comments

I come to York regularly for breaks and love seeing cliffords tower proudly towering over the surrounding historical area. It would be absolutely offensive to build a shopping centre near this, especially as shopping in York is already fantastic anyway. I'm sure another huge shop won't help all the parking problems either.

Name:

Lisa Shaw

Location:

Grimsby