TRADERS called today for the re-development of York's Piccadilly to go ahead quickly - without waiting for the Coppergate controversy to be resolved.

York Chamber of Trade said the continuing impasse over Land Securities' proposals to re-develop land between Clifford's Tower and Piccadilly meant Piccadilly itself was being stagnated.

"The chamber urges that a separate development scheme for offices, housing, restaurants and shops, be brought forward in respect of Piccadilly," said a spokesman for the chamber, one of two organisations which represent retailers in the city.

"This would leave Clifford's Tower and the Castle Precinct to be considered alone and entirely separately.

"It is so precious and

sensitive a site that it deserves special and individual consideration, free from development, commercial and land ownership issues."

He said that with proposals to re-develop the Hungate area now making progress, the chamber was keen to see both Piccadilly and the Castle Precinct advanced in a "parallel, positive and expedient manner, rather than through one sustained impasse".

The chamber's comments come a month before the long-running public inquiry into Land Securities' £60 million scheme, adjourned earlier this year, resumes.

With many witnesses still to be called, it is likely to be some time before the inquiry can finish.

The Land Securities project includes a major department store, new shops, restaurants and cafes, and apartments, but also a multi-storey car park in Piccadilly to compensate for the loss of parking spaces at the Castle Car Park.

Concern has been growing for some time about the appearance of some of the commercial properties in Piccadilly, which would be demolished under the Coppergate Riverside scheme.

No one was available for comment from Land Securities or City of York Council.

Updated: 11:05 Saturday, April 06, 2002