Jane Wilson: "My husband and I celebrated our wedding in 1998 with our reception at the Great Northern Hotel, and in March 2008 we are returning there to mark both 20 years of marriage and our daughter's 18th birthday with around 100 friends and family.

"We would be deeply saddened to see the hotel demolished, not just because of its position in the heritage of Peterborough as a city, but on a personal basis since it is a significant landmark in our own lives."

Bill Hollowell, from Orton Waterville: "If the Great Northern Hotel is to be demolished to make room for yet more hideously unattractive modern buildings and car parking in the vicinity of the railway station that would be an act of crass stupidity.

"It would prove conclusively that not all the lunatics are in the asylum, but are beavering away over their drawing boards, intent on removing another of the city's few remaining architectural jewels for what they laughingly consider to be progress.

"At the end of the day, the final decision will rest with the city council. When it is called upon to consider the plans I hope its officers and members – who claim to have our best interests at heart – will block any proposal that advocates demolition and insist upon a scheme which retains the Great Northern Hotel as the jewel in the crown of that particular part of town."

Gerry Wilding: "Why is it this council and its officers want to destroy everything that is goood about this city? First it was the Brewery Tap and now the Great Northern, both unique in their own way, and replace them with buildings no one wants.

"We have enough empty shops in the city already.

"This is about over-ambitous councillors' egos and their legacy. When M&S anchors North Westgate (because no one else will), the Queensgate store will likely close.

That will be the end for Bridge Street, and as for the so-called South Bank development, it can't get off the drawing board. The station development is about providing travellers with a terminus that works and that doesn't require the knocking down of one of the few remaining railway hotels.

"Have the guts to tell your commercial partners how the people of Peterborough want OUR city developed that means including some of our better buildings in future developments."

Phil Knight, from Netherton: "If the Great Northern Hotel is demolished to 'drive forward growth in Peterborough', then why don't we give Opportunity Peterborough the free hand they obviously want and allow them to demolish the cathedral as well?

"They can then turn the city into what it has aspired to be for so long – a giant, anonymous shopping centre-cum-office block of no interest to outsiders except those purely interested in economic statistics.

"There seems to be a general rule in Peterborough that any establishment that offers character or taste or interest should be demolished, lest it should encourage an outbreak of culture or inward tourism.

"And while we are at it, how about giving us a profile of Opportunity Peterborough, who they are, and what their vision is.