by Mike Laycock

THE people of York are giving strong backing to the proposed £100 million Hungate re-development scheme.

Almost 2,000 people visited an exhibition explaining details of what is being planned for the ten-acre, semi-derelict site between Stonebow and the River Foss.

The vast majority are understood to be in support of the proposals, despite concerns reported previously about the size and scale of the development.

The scheme includes 720 new homes in buildings which in a couple of places rise to seven storeys high. Exhibition organisers say very few visitors to the exhibition, which closed last night, have raised concerns about the height.

Tim Flanagan, spokesman for Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd, who has been at the exhibition every day, said: "Speaking with visitors at our exhibition, it is clear that there is overwhelming, emphatic and enthusiastic support for the regeneration proposals."

He said that many people who had previously had worries about the height of the buildings had had their fears allayed.

"Once they have seen the model they have been able to satisfy themselves that the small number of seven-storey features are in context with the position of the site and its relationship with the rest of the city."

More than 400 visitors have filled in questionnaires to give their views on the proposals. The forms have been passed on to City of York Council to form part of its public consultation process, prior to the authority considering an outline planning application.

The Evening Press understands comments have been strongly supportive of the scheme, with some reservations on the size of the development.

A council spokesman said public comments had been "fairly positive", although with some expressing some concern about the height and scale.

Updated: 11:47 Wednesday, January 22, 2003