AN OLD fashioned open-air debate is being planned over York's Coppergate Riverside proposals - as it emerged that Sir Bernard Ingham is to appear in person at the forthcoming public inquiry.

Margaret Thatcher's former press secretary has been timetabled to speak for up to an hour at the Guildhall inquiry, which starts on Tuesday.

In a written submission to the inspector, Sir Bernard has already condemned Land Securities' £60 million scheme to redevelop land between Clifford's Tower and Piccadilly as "a remarkable example of civic vandalism."

The Speakers' Corner-style soapbox debate is being organised by Castle Area Campaign, one of the groups opposing the project.

The organisers have challenged a new pressure group, launched last week in support of the scheme, to take part in the meeting, which will take place at 11am on Sunday in Exhibition Square, in the shadow of the statue of York-born artist William Etty.

Group spokesman Gordon Campbell Thomas said the statue had been chosen as the venue for the debate because Etty and other concerned citizens had stood up to the city council in 1835 to prevent the destruction of Bootham Bar and the Bar Walls.

A campaign group in support of the project, called Friends Of Riverside (FOR), was launched last week. Chairman Trevor Kidd, who can be contacted on 01904 674526, claimed it spoke for the silent majority in York who backed the Land Securities proposals.

Mr Campbell Thomas said: "Trevor Kidd claims a lot of things, such as 100 members.

"It is amazing how they have been silent for so long and are now supposed to have found a voice through Mr Kidd's organisation."

He said Mr Kidd had claimed that the Castle Area Campaign was self-appointed. "We would question how is he any different?

"At least we have held a public meeting which was attended by more than 100 people. He hasn't.

"Of course, the real test will be the public inquiry, which we called for with a petition of over 6,000 signatures."

He said Mr Kidd had cited the support of City of York Council's planning committee for the scheme. "That's like saying the Taliban support Osama Bin Laden. Let us see what support he can muster on Sunday."

Meanwhile, the Castle Area Campaign has produced thousands of its own glossy leaflets with photographs and artist's impressions showing how the Coppergate scheme would allegedly "destroy many beautiful views of Clifford's Tower if we allow it to go ahead".

Anybody wanting to speak at the inquiry must register by Tuesday. Anybody wanting to register should telephone Jim Riddle, the independent programme officer for the inquiry, on 0191 5653695 or 07740 493307.

Updated: 12:52 Friday, January 18, 2002