A campaigner against plans for a £60 million retail development in the centre of York today called for all opponents of the scheme to unite to tell Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott what should replace it.

The news follows yesterday's announcement that Mr Prescott has called in the controversial Coppergate Riverside plan to decide on its outcome via a public inquiry.

Stuart Wilson, of the Castle Area Campaign Group, believes Mr Prescott's decision provides a platform for them to show an alternative to the Land Securities submission.

He said: "We should be getting together, and coming up with a structured plan we can submit to any inquiry, as and when it occurs".

Philip Crowe, of separate action group York Tomorrow, said: "We have always felt the scale of the development should be reduced and the opportunity be given to develop the area around the castle in an acceptable way."

York Tomorrow has suggested an alternative parkland scheme around Clifford's Tower.

The calling-in procedure, used only when a scheme is considered to be of more than local importance, is likely to mean that the final decision on Coppergate Riverside - which has already been approved by City of York Council - could be delayed for months while an inquiry is held.

The Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber said Mr Prescott "considers the proposals may conflict with national policies on important matters; could have significant effects beyond their immediate locality; give rise to significant regional controversy; and raise significant architectural and urban design issues".

No date has yet been set for the inquiry.

Mr Crowe added: "We feel this is the correct decision, so that all the issues which are relevant to this problem can be aired in public."

Mr Crowe thanked local people who supported the campaign against Coppergate Riverside. The Castle Area Campaign Group said a planned protest at the official opening of York's Millennium Bridge had now been called off.

Mr Prescott had not indicated he was against the principle of the development moving forward, but wanted to have the design issues further examined at a public inquiry.

Updated: 14:30 Thursday, April 05, 2001