SO what happens now to Land Securities' proposals to extend York's Coppergate Centre?

Roy Templeman, director of environment and development services at City of York Council, says the authority is now busily collating and analysing the vast response to its public consultation exercise.

This includes the comments from hundreds of people who attended an exhibition in the Coppergate Centre about the Coppergate Riverside proposals, numerous letters received by the council from members of the public and other responses from a range of statutory and other bodies, such as English Heritage and York Civic Trust.

Officers will prepare a report on everyone's views, and this will go to members of the planning committee who will make the vital decision on the application.

The results of the Evening Press's two surveys will also now be included in the officers' analysis, and councillors on the planning committee will be informed fully of the results before they reach their decision, said Mr Templeman. The officer has said previously that comments will still be welcomed up to the last minute.

He said yesterday it was likely that the planning meeting would take place in October.

But that could be delayed by a month or two if Land Securities decides to amend its application significantly, for example by altering the architecture of the buildings near Clifford's Tower.

Mr Templeman said the council would need to re-consult if that happened, putting back the final decision further towards Christmas.

But minor modifications to the scheme could be handled by the committee without having to go back out to consultees.

PICTURE: Roy Templeman: analysis

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