The Evening Press today gives readers a chance to have their say on York's most important shopping development in 20 years.

Planners are set to decide in October on Land Securities' £60 million scheme to extend the Coppergate Centre.

Today, we incorporate a special link on the background to Coppergate Riverside, an ambitious project for new shops, restaurants, two new footbridges over the River Foss and riverside walkways that will change the skyline of York forever.

We report the arguments for and against the proposals, put respectively by Trevor Kidd, a resident who lives nearby in Piccadilly, and by top architect Patrick Nuttgens.

We examine the concerns of conservationists about the scheme, and also find out about the archaeological treasures that may lie beneath the site between Clifford's Tower and Piccadilly.

And we look back at the long and protracted wrangle over the development of the site over the past 14 years, as well as looking forward to how the crucial decision will be made by City of York Council's planning committee.

But most importantly of all, we are giving you, the reader, an opportunity to voice your opinions on the scheme.

We have an interactive form asking whether or not you think the scheme would be good for York and should go ahead. We also want to know what you think the implications will be, negative or positive - for example, do you believe it will improve the appearance of the area or create an eyesore? And do you think it will boost city centre prosperity or damage business for other city centre shops?

At the same time, our marketing department is to conduct a more in-depth survey of opinion among 500 to 1,000 people in York city centre.

City of York Council recently completed its own public consultation exercise, which received a massive response from shoppers, conservationists, environmentalists and retailers, and which is now being analysed by officers.

But Roy Templeman, the council's director of environment and development services, says it will welcome any form of public comment received before its crucial planning meeting this autumn, particularly from people who have taken the time to understand the scheme and explain in detail what their concerns and opinions are.

The form can be sent back by e-mail.