OPPONENTS of the plans for the Coppergate Riverside shopping centre in York will be demonstrating against the latest proposals tomorrow.

Anyone who wants to support the campaign against the development is invited to join the protesters to show the strength of feeling against the planned development.

The Coppergate Riverside scheme, which was given the go-ahead by City of York councillors and then called in by the Secretary of State for the Environment, would include a new department store, dozens of new retail units and new bridges over the River Foss. Some of the building would be on part of the Castle car park, next to Clifford's Tower.

The plans are due to go to a public inquiry in January after City of York councillors gave them their approval.

Tomorrow's demonstration was originally arranged when the inquiry was scheduled to start next week, but organisers have decided to press ahead with the protest to keep the issue in the public eye.

It has been organised by two groups, the Castle Area Campaign Group and York Tomorrow.

Gordon Campbell-Thomas, a spokesman for the Castle Area group, said other sup-porters included the Archbishop of York, Dr David Hope, and York Civic Trust.

He said: "This is not a black and white or open and shut case as the council and developers Land Securities would like to make out.

"The public are deeply concerned. This is fundamental to the future of York. If we put into place the wrong type of development it could change the whole nature of York for a long time to come.

"This is a fundamental issue for people who were born in York or who have moved here, people who love the city."

The group is also going to put up an information tent in Parliament Street on October 21, when alternative visions for the area drawn up by York Tomorrow and by Martin Burgess will be on display.

* Tomorrow's protest starts at Clifford's Tower at 10.30am.

Updated: 09:16 Friday, September 21, 2001