THE £60 million Coppergate Riverside proposal has been given the go-ahead in a landmark decision by York city planners.

It means land surrounding Clifford's Tower and in Piccadilly will be transformed into 250,000 square feet of retail space, restaurants, offices, flats, leisure facilities and a multi-storey car park.

Opponents immediately vowed to continue their fight against the Land Securities scheme.

York's Conservatives have written to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, who has the final say, to block it.

And York Tomorrow, whose alternative plan for a public park on the land was rejected at last night's meeting of City of York Council's planning committee, announced that they intend to appeal.

Chairman Philip Crowe said: "Councillors have not understood the issues involved, and they have certainly not been prepared to debate them properly.

"It is very likely that we shall go to appeal on behalf of the citizens of York who have told us that this park is what they want on this site."

In a five-and-a-half-hour meeting, planning committee members were virtually unanimous in backing Land Securities' proposals. Only Labour councillor David Wilde and Conservative Gerald Dean voted against them.

Land Securities assistant director Richard Akers said: "I am very happy. This is the end of a long process, and the start of another one of detailed design, construction and letting of retail units. I am very much looking forward to that. "

And Coppergate centre manager Diana Dickson said: "I am sure that this will be a really good thing for York's people, both traders and residents."

But former Tory councillor Ken Beavan warned: "The members of the planning committee who voted to desecrate our historic castle site with a shopping mall have betrayed our heritage for 30 pieces of silver.

"They will not be forgiven, nor forgotten, by future generations of York citizens."

And Michael McIntyre, Tory prospective Tory candidate for the city, said: "Our prime concern was that it would be unethical for the council to determine the application because of its financial interest as part owners of the site."

The approval of Land Securities' application will be subject to a series of conditions to be agreed by councillors.

They follow concern over aspects of the application, including building design, traffic access, landscaping and servicing arrangements.

Liberal Democrat leader Steve Galloway said: "Personally, I am unhappy about certain parts of this application and I will be looking to amend those things."

Mr Akers said: "There were no fundamental issues that the councillors were unhappy about, and we feel that we can come to a conclusion that we are all satisfied with."

York Tomorrow will meet on Friday to discuss its options. Mr Crowe said: "The conditions the councillors will impose will not address the basic problem, which is that this development is just too big.

"Big bucks talk, and the council hopes to make big bucks by allowing this development, but we are still hopeful and optimistic that eventually our views will prevail."

adam.nichols@ycp.co.uk