YORK'S Coppergate River-side inquiry is expected to overrun its three-week deadline, it emerged today.

Organisers say the inquiry into Land Securities' £60 million scheme to redevelop land between Clifford's Tower and Piccadilly has already fallen behind schedule by three days since it started on Tuesday.

Any extension would mean an increase to costs picked up by York's taxpayers, which had been estimated at £110,000 for the three weeks.

"I can safely say it is not going to be completed in three weeks," said Jim Riddle, the inquiry's programme officer.

The inquiry's venue, York Guildhall, has been booked until February 8.

After that, a new booking would need to be made. If it is not available, an alternative venue would have to be found or the hearing adjourned.

But Mr Riddle said: "We have three barristers, a solicitor and an architect at this appeal, and we would need to find out what's in their diaries before we can arrange time after this three weeks."

A City of York Council spokesman said: "We do anticipate the inquiry will cost more, but we are unable to determine exactly how much at the moment."

The inquiry has overrun because of the amount of time taken to cross-examine witnesses.

Landscape expert Professor Robert Tregay said yesterday that the setting of listed buildings would be improved wherever possible.

"This is notably the case with the greatly-enlarged grass base around Clifford's Tower in place of the existing tarmacadam car park," he said.

"High quality paving, carefully placed trees, a variety of spaces and unfolding views, and the integration of the contemporary with the historic will create an exceptionally-high quality environment, which is carefully stitched into the historic structure of the city."

Quizzed by Alison Sinclair, representing the York Georgian Society, about servicing of the proposed shops, he revealed rising bollards would be used to prevent the wrong vehicles driving in front of Clifford's Tower, although he conceded these would not stop motorbikes.

- The inquiry will resume on Tuesday.

Updated: 10:11 Saturday, January 19, 2002