The chairman of a top York conservation group has launched a sweeping attack on a £60 million redevelopment scheme that he says treats one of the city's most historic areas "as if it was another building site".

John Shannon stands outside the Castle Car Park, with Clifford's Tower on the right.

And John Shannon, chairman of York Civic Trust, said he was sure people in the city would support his views on the proposed "Coppergate II" development.

The civic trust has decided to oppose the revised plans despite supporting redevelopment in principle. It says:

The the siting of the proposed building in Castlegate is too close to the castle;

It intrudes on the setting of three Grade I listed buildings;

Its scale overpowers the Grade II Caf Andros;

The amount of shopping floor space is excessive;

It would have a detrimental effect on the economic survival of existing historic buildings in the city centre.

Mr Shannon said: "Basically it's wrong because it's still too close to Clifford's Tower. They have not taken account of the fact that they are building at the base of one of the great English monuments, and also they have chosen virtually to diminish the tremendous 18th century complex of the Debtors' Prison, the Castle Museum and the Assizes. It's just been treated, I think, almost with disdain."

He said the problem was that the proposals involved over-development. Mr Shannon added that trees would also be lost in the scheme.

"All in all they have treated what is, apart from the Minster area, the finest conservation area in York as if it was another building site, and it's not good enough for York."

Mr Shannon said it was up to the developers to come up with something much better for the site. "It falls far short of what the situation demands. I'm perfectly sure the people of York will support what I've said in full measure, and they cannot be ignored."

Richard Akers, the surveyor in charge of the project for developers Land Securities Properties, said: "After listening to comments from the public this week we believe the majority of York people feel our proposed buildings will enhance the area.

"We believe the architectural style of the buildings will be a valuable addition to the varied architecture of York. There were concerns about retaining the Caf Andros building, and we have responded to those comments by keeping it."

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