MEMBERS of York City fans' group Friends of Bootham Crescent (FoBC) have revealed they are planning a sustained protest campaign against York-based housebuilders Persimmon Homes.

It seems that Persimmon, which controversially plans to demolish Bootham Crescent and build houses on the historic home of York City, is set to feel the full force of City fans' anger.

Friends spokesman David Allison said: "We have heard a lot of feedback from fans who say that they feel the company has got away without being challenged at all, and that they feel we should be focusing our energies on making life difficult for Persimmon."

FoBC has already collected more than 1,000 signatures to an open letter to Persimmon urging it to withdraw its application to build on Bootham Crescent.

It now seems that this was the beginning of a wider and more aggressive campaign.

Mr Allison said they could not yet reveal their battle plans, but a tough campaign was on the way. "We call on Persimmon to withdraw the application today and save themselves a long battle," he said.

Persimmon Homes managing director Ian Hessay said the company had bid for the right to redevelop Bootham Crescent in the proper way.

He said: "If it had not been Persimmon Homes it would have been another developer and I am sure they would not have been as accommodating as we are.

"My understanding is Friends of Bootham Crescent object to the redevelopment of Bootham Crescent unless a suitable alternative is in place. We have always stated that we do not expect to receive planning consent (to redevelop Bootham Crescent) unless an alternative is in place."

Mr Hessay said he would not meet FoBC, but said Persimmon was "working closely" with the football club's board.

Football club communications director Sophie McGill said FoBC was an independent group with its own views and opinions.

She pointed out that Persimmon had worked to help the club, paying for traffic and planning consultants to help prepare a potentially-successful planning application for the club's move to Huntington Stadium.

Ms McGill added: "The directors of the football club have an obligation to our fans and the wider community to strive to secure a suitable home for the club. The current lease on Bootham Crescent expires 31 May 2004.

"The only option for us at present is to press forward with our planning application for the redevelopment of Huntington Stadium, which we hope to submit within the coming weeks."

Updated: 12:50 Monday, July 28, 2003