Opponents of York's controversial Coppergate Riverside scheme today unveiled plans to turn the Castle Car Park into a public open space.

A group called York Tomorrow has submitted a formal planning application to City of York Council for the change of use.

It said local opinion was strongly against Land Securities' proposals to extend the existing Coppergate Centre on to the council-owned car park - "a site of outstanding historical and architectural importance, containing listed buildings and a scheduled ancient monument".

York Tomorrow, said by a spokesman to be a small group of residents, professionals and businesspeople with concerns about Coppergate Riverside, claimed that the site must not be sacrificed for "short-sighted commercial interests." It had therefore submitted its alternative application.

"This would establish a worthy setting for the buildings around it, and provide a much-needed green parkland to the south of the city centre to complement the Museum Gardens on the north, benefiting both York citizens and visitors alike," added spokesman Philip Crowe.

The application makes no reference to the provision of alternative parking elsewhere for motorists displaced from the 320-space car park.

And Richard Akers, assistant director of Land Securities, said today: "The Castle Car Park, with its 322 spaces, is one of the busiest short-stay car parks in York city centre and we wonder how traders, the Castle Museum and English Heritage - the owner's of Clifford's Tower - will view such a proposal."

"The Coppergate Riverside proposals involve the relocation of car parking to a purpose-built multi-storey car park more suitably located in Piccadilly.

"Our plans put great emphasis on the opening up of space for public enjoyment, especially around Clifford's Tower and on both banks of the River Foss."

Roy Templeman, York's director of environment and development services, said the council would go through proper consultation on the public space proposals before reaching a decision, as with any other application.

He said the council received half a million pounds a year in revenue from the car park, and it could also cost a million pounds to convert it to a park, with additional annual running costs afterwards.

Land Securities' scheme is to be considered at a planning meeting in November.

* In an Evening Press survey of readers' views on the Coppergate Riverside proposals, many commented that they wanted parkland and open space created around Clifford's Tower.

mike.laycock@ycp.co.uk