THE two opposing schemes to re-develop land in the shadow of historic Clifford's Tower are set to go head-to-head as the Coppergate debate comes to a climax.

But York Tomorrow's proposals for a public park were today dealt a massive blow as planning officers urged councillors to throw it out.

The showdown between York Tomorrow's plans for public open space and Land Securities' £60 million Coppergate Riverside shopping scheme will happen at a special City of York Council planning meeting next Wednesday. The council has agreed to consider both schemes at the same time, rather than delaying the Tomorrow application - which only came in fairly recently - to a later date.

York Tomorrow, a group of concerned residents, professionals and business people, welcomed news that both schemes would be considered at the same meeting, but outraged at the recommendations.

"We are extremely disappointed and disturbed at this recommendation," said York Tomorrow spokesman Philip Crowe. "We are very pleased to hear that both applications are to be considered at the same meeting, but we are appalled that officers have recommended refusal on our application and we shall argue against it at the meeting."

The main reason given by planning officers for the refusal recommendation is the loss of the Castle car park "without any compensatory provision".

York Tomorrow argue their detailed parking survey shows there is sufficient alternative parking in other city centre car parks.

It is not yet known what decision officers have recommended for the Land Securities bid.

Meanwhile, big and small shopping names in York are staying with the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce after it split in two over the Coppergate Riverside controversy.

Its chief executive Roland Harris is confident it will continue to represent a wide cross-section of the city's retail world despite the formation of a rival York Chamber of Trade.

He said his organisation has 620 members representing 1,400 businesses, including major national retailing chains such as Marks & Spencer, Fenwicks and Boots, independent retailers such as Jespers, stationers of Castlegate and the Micklegate and Goodramgate traders' associations.

"We have a very strong base in retail in York which will continue. We have a good track record of representing the interests of traders in York and that will continue," said Mr Harris.

Yesterday , the Evening Press revealed exclusively that Adam Sinclair, of Mulberry Hall fine chinaware, had formed a breakaway York Chamber of Trade with other independent retailers.

Members of the new group resigned from the chamber of commerce in a dispute over the Coppergate Riverside controversy.