YORK'S Coppergate River-side scheme has won a massive boost from English Heritage.

The organisation - which opposed a previous plan to extend the Coppergate Centre because of its impact on historic Clifford's Tower - says the new proposal has much to commend it.

While it still has important concerns about some aspects of the £60 million retail scheme, it says Land Securities has sought to address the concerns that led to the previous refusal of planning permission.

And in another boost to Land Securities' hopes of winning permission this time round, ordinary members of the public have given a generally favourable response to the scheme.

A council spokesman revealed that there had been "quite a positive" response from people who filled in a form after attending an exhibition about the scheme.

This is in marked contrast to the generally hostile comments of retailers and conservation organisations reported in the Evening Press.

See Tuesday's Evening Press for a two-page special about Coppergate Riverside, reporting on the arguments for and against, the history of the re-development saga, and a chance for you to have your say.