A major public meeting to rally support will form the next big step in the campaign to stop the Coppergate II shopping plan going ahead.

The Castle Area Campaign is the new name for the group of people fighting the Land Securities development and it has organised the gathering to help decide on the best way forward in the battle.

It will take place on Tuesday, January 30, starting at 7.30pm, at the Priory Street Centre, in Micklegate, York.

Opponents of the scheme are calling on Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott to order a public inquiry into the Coppergate II scheme, which would radically alter the area around Clifford's Tower by creating 250,000 feet of retail space with restaurants, flats, offices, a multi-storey car park and leisure facilities.

They have already collected about 2,500 signatures against the scheme in just two days of petitioning in York and they will be collecting more in Parliament Street this Saturday between noon and 2pm.

At a meeting of the group, campaigners discussed presenting the completed petition to John Prescott in person, possibly when he visits his Hull constituency.

Campaigner Stuart Wilson said that while out petitioning in York, he had received great support from passers-by, with comments like: "Why ruin a beautiful city vista?", "It's an outrage" and "Listen to the people".

It is hoped that the public meeting at the end of the month will attract between 100 and 150 people with a number of speakers sending out the rallying cry.

Campaigner Frank Ormston said: "It is an important meeting because we may know by then whether there's going to be a public inquiry or not."

York businessman Dave Dee was also at the group meeting and said that people such as he, who lived and worked near Tower Street were against the scheme.

"They don't want glass and concrete there," he said.

Updated: 10:29 Thursday, January 18, 2001