WE now have enough artists' impressions of Coppergate II to mount an exhibition. Perhaps the Tate Modern could find a spare wall for this graphic representation of millennial planning angst.
The latest watercolour vision comes courtesy of Martin Burgess and Eric Jackson, who own part of the site earmarked for redevelopment. They seem to have taken a leaf out of the Book Of Blair by attempting to navigate a third way.
On the one hand, Land Securities' Coppergate Riverside is a major shopping complex. On the other, York Tomorrow wants a park. Today's contribution, snappily called the Castle Quarter, combines a scaled-down retail development with a public square.
But to suggest that the Castle Quarter is merely a compromise of what has gone before would be unfair. Some of its elements are fresh, notably the idea of incremental development along Piccadilly.
The city council's Local Plan has earmarked this site for a "comprehensive development": a large complex, housing big stores and restaurants. Coppergate Riverside, in other words. In this alternative concept, plot sizes would be limited to promote diversity. This, says the brief, would allow for the development of "a 'permeable' area reflecting the traditional patterns of York".
More food for thought, then - although the Castle Quarter's impact might be limited by its late appearance.
This area of York has national historical significance, so it is right that its future is fully explored. The Government has recognised this by calling in the Land Securities scheme for a public inquiry, due in August.
But we cannot prolong the debate endlessly. Mr Burgess has himself complained about the damage caused by more than 20 years of indecision.
What we have now is a group of dilapidated buildings stagnating on Piccadilly and the eyesore that is the open air car park. What we want is a regenerated Castle area based on a modern vision worthy of the historic situation.
That is what we hope will soon emerge from one of York's most protracted planning debates.
Updated: 10:40 Friday, July 06, 2001
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