THE company behind the redevelopment of York's Barbican Centre says there is no question of it pulling out of the scheme, despite the latest setback.

Andrew Cossins, who leads Barbican Venture (York) Ltd, told the Evening Press: "We have come too far and invested far too much to pull out now.

"We have assembled an unrivalled team of professional advisers and associates for the project, including Absolute Leisure, and everyone remains totally committed to the scheme."

He also attacked opponents of the project, branding them a "small, vocal and, at times, misinformed minority".

He also sought to allay fears that the Barbican might not be able to host next year's UK Snooker Tournament and Festival of Remembrance, saying he and his colleagues were "committed to ensuring" such key events would be unaffected.

Mr Cossins was speaking out in the wake of last week's hitch at York Magistrates Court, when future Barbican operator Absolute Leisure had to withdraw its application for a late-night licence after failing to post legal notices correctly.

Magistrates said the earliest date available for a fresh hearing was in April, and Absolute Leisure said the delay meant the refurbishment might not be completed in time for next November's tournament and festival to be staged.

At the same time, the Save Our Barbican (SOB) campaign - which opposed the licence application because of concerns about late-night noise and disturbance in a residential area - is still intending to take City of York Council's decision to grant planning permission for the scheme to judicial review.

Mr Cossins said he was proud of the scheme and the top names in homes, hospitality and leisure it would bring to the city.

"But until the threat of a judicial inquiry disappears, we cannot go ahead and announce the details," he said.

Mr Cossins said further delays might well eat into the windfall provided to the local authority by Barbican Venture and earmarked for improvements to the city's swimming pools, and claimed objectors might well live to regret their campaign.

But Ernie Dickinson, spokesman for the objectors, dismissed his comments. He said: "Surely local residents have the right to challenge decisions that will affect their quality of life and their properties?"

Updated: 10:15 Tuesday, November 23, 2004