ELECTORS are being urged to vote tactically at York's council elections to block a fresh attempt to build "Shoppergate."

The Castle Area Campaign is leafleting homes to encourage people to vote for specific parties and candidates opposed to the retail development of land below Clifford's Tower.

The group was one of a number of pressure groups which successfully opposed Land Securities' controversial proposals to extend the Coppergate Centre on to land between the tower and the River Foss, currently used as the Castle car park.

The scheme was thrown out in 2003 after a lengthy public inquiry, and the council drew up a fresh planning blueprint for the site last spring.

Land Securities is considering whether to submit a fresh planning application.

The leaflet says CAC will "not stand for a tawdry shopping mall being built in the face of one of England's most important monuments."

It says the campaign has always been non-party political, but goes on: "We feel that citizens can really use their vote in favour of people and parties who support York's special heritage, environment and local traders, and against those who would side with Land Securities to build Shoppergate, which would be a stain on York's character until the day it is pulled down."

It urges people to vote Conservative or Green, both of which have been strong and consistent opponents of the scheme.

It also calls for people to vote for anti-Coppergate campaigners Andy Hinkles, a Liberal candidate in Guildhall ward, Les Marsh, a Respect candidate in Clifton and the Official Monster Raving Loony Party's candidate for Westfield, Eddie Vee. "It's a topsy-turvy world when the loonies talk good sense," it says.

But the campaign has little good to say of the two biggest parties in York, saying that "shamefully," most Labour councillors sided with the developers, and "odd mavericks" such as David Wilde and Brian Wilson who "stood up for York" are standing down at this election. However, it does ask people to back campaign supporter Geoff Beacon in Dringhouses and Woodthorpe.

It says equally shamefully, the Liberal Democrats also sided with the developers, adding: "Vote tactically to push them out."

Labour leader Dave Merrett said today the revised planning brief for the site, supported by Labour, was significantly different from the old brief, ensuring there would be a substantial amount of public open space and an enhancement of the tower's setting.

* Electors wishing to apply to vote by post or change existing arrangements have until 5pm tomorrow to register for next month's council elections in York.

Applications to vote by proxy for medical emergency have to be made by 5pm on May 3.