Developers behind York's Coppergate Riverside scheme say it will create a new green open space bigger than the grassy area in the Eye of York.

A group called York Tomorrow had sub-mitted a planning application to City of York Council to convert the Castle Car Park into an area of public space.

The group of concerned residents and professionals said local opinion was strongly against Land Securities' £60 million proposals to extend the Copper-gate Centre over the car park, and wanted open space around Clifford's Tower.

But Land Securities said today that its proposals include plans to extend the grass at the base of the tower mound, creating a new 19,493 sq ft area of lawn.

A spokesman said this compared with the Eye of York grass which is 19,159 sq ft.

And he said that with new public foot-paths added in, the total area of open space between the proposed development and the base of the mound would be more than 38,987 sq feet.

Richard Akers, assistant director of Land Securities said: "During the public con-sultation period, many comments were made about the Castle Car Park and its future use.

"By relocating car parking from the foot of Clifford's Tower to a purpose-built multi-storey car park in Piccadilly, we are able to create a large new open space for public enjoyment in the city centre.

"The new lawn, with its retaining wall where people can sit and relax, will com-plement the neighbouring Eye of York, while the footpaths will greatly improve access into this important area from other parts of the city centre."

Land Securities said the development, which includes a mixture of shops, apartments, offices, restaurants and lei-sure space, had been designed with an 'active edge' facing onto Clifford's Tower.

People using the shops and restaurants would be able to look across a piazza-style area and up to the Tower, which would be the dominant feature on the site.

As well as the open area in front of Clif-ford's Tower, there would be almost 27,000 sq ft of public space created through the opening up of access to the River Foss, where there would be new riverside walkways on both banks linked by two footbridges.

York planners are set to consider Land Securities' application by late November.