COPPERGATE Riverside would replace a car park with landscaping and buildings which "respect and harmonise" with nearby historic buildings, English Heritage claimed today.

The £60 million redevelopment scheme would not challenge the dominance of historic Clifford's Tower, said Trevor Mitchell, one of the organisation's Inspectors of Historic Buildings

The inspector was speaking on the seventh day of a public inquiry into Land Securities' controversial proposals to re-develop land between the tower and Piccadilly with shops, restaurants and apartments.

Objectors have claimed the development would have a severe impact on the setting and appearance of the tower and conservation area.

But Mr Mitchell, whose organisation has responsibility for the castle, said: "The scheme would ...enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area."

He said that English Heritage had opposed the first proposal for the site put forward in 1998.

It was concerned that the line and height of the development would have "compromised the important sense of space and openness around Clifford's Tower, and have had significant adverse impacts on the setting of the tower and the adjacent listed buildings, and on the character and appearance of the conservation area."

He said that in 1999, English Heritage was introduced to Chapman Taylor, which had been appointed as architects for a new scheme. "We took part in discussions with the architects and the council over its development."

When the current application was first proposed, English Heritage had accepted the general planning of the scheme, but was not satisfied with the "architectural expression" of blocks facing Clifford's Tower.

The blocks were revised, and English Heritage was satisfied that the changes had met its previous concerns.

The organisation accepted that the line of the development provided an acceptable open space as a setting to Clifford's Tower. "The car park is removed, and Castlegate is re-established, benefiting the setting of the Castle and its interpretation."

He said that in discussions over the height of the development, it had sought to ensure it did not dominate the Women's Prison (now part of the Castle Museum) or challenge the dominance of the tower, and also that it conformed to the height of buildings along Castlegate.

"The wall-tops of both blocks are both lower than that of the Women's Prison and of Fairfax House. English Heritage is satisfied that the design meets ...our concerns with respect to height."

He said his organisation was also happy with the proposed redevelopment of Piccadilly, saying it would remove the "non-conforming" Ryedale Building and would not harm the appearance of the conservation area.

The inquiry continues.

Updated: 14:41 Thursday, January 24, 2002