THE plans outlined in the Gazette, April 6, Malton’s £20m vision, look very promising and I am sure they would deliver a real boost to Malton’s town centre.

I was, however, disappointed to see that the proposals contain no residential accommodation. Some new housing in the centre would help create a sense of ownership of the project and a degree of self policing of the area outside retail hours.

It could also provide some badly-needed affordable or sheltered housing in an ideal location, close to amenities. Such housing has been succesfully incorporated in many parallel developments elsewhere. Housing was a part of earlier plans for the site.

Could the developers and/or district council consider amending the scheme so as to incorporate a residential element?

Mike Gwilliam, Norton.