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Worldwide support for the campaign against Coppergate
Added: (Mon Aug 12 2002)
New online petition collects comments from around the world
Residents of York are protesting against a new shopping development adjacent to the historic monument, Clifford’s Tower. The original building was erected by William the Conqueror and the tower was the scene of a Jewish massacre in 1190.
However, the proposed development is a global issue, rather than a local one.
A new online petition at www.cliffordstower.com/petition is proof of this. This growing petition has already collected comments from concerned people from the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Italy and Sweden amongst others. Local residents are also invited to air their views. See below for a small selection of comments.
The introductory wording of this new petition is not inflammatory. Viewers to the site are simply asked to air their views on the development. (The exact wording is as follows: ‘Let the world know how you feel about the development of the area surrounding Clifford's Tower’.)
Yet there is not one comment in support of the scheme.
The latest inquiry into the development has now ended and the Planning Inspector is now considering the matter and will be making his recommendation to the Secretary of State. The petition will shortly be forwarded to both parties. Anyone who is concerned about preserving heritage and history is urged to sign, regardless of their location. Tourists visit York because of its historic buildings and these must be preserved in a suitable setting for generations to come.
A selection of comments from the petition:
’ 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 desecrate the beautiful city of York with this insane proposal.’
’ 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.’
’ 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.‘