A FRESH row has broken out over the amount of public open space to be created around Clifford's Tower during the "Coppergate III" redevelopment.

York councillors have agreed to go out to consultation on a draft planning brief for the Castle Piccadilly area, which calls for a "significant area" of civic open space.

But they refused to specify how much land should be set aside for open space and how much should be built on.

Councillors from the ruling Liberal Democrat group said at yesterday's planning meeting they did not want to restrict developers to a set percentage figure.

Coun Ann Reid said she did not want a quantity of open space which could be "wind-swept blasted heath".

She said: "We want quality open space, not grass for grass's sake."

But Green councillor Mark Hill claimed the authority was being irresponsible by avoiding tackling the issue. "This is a vital and historic area of York and the council should not be so vague about what it wants on the site," he said.

He called in vain for the brief to state that at least 90 per cent of the land between the historic tower and the River Foss, currently occupied by the Castle car park, should be retained as public open space to protect the setting of Clifford's Tower and gain a great breathing space for the city.

The argument echoes the great debate during the lengthy public inquiry into the Coppergate Riverside proposals to build shops, restaurants and apartments on much of the site.

Opponents of that scheme said the area should be turned instead into public open space, and the Government eventually threw out the plans, leading eventually to the creation of the new draft brief.

Labour leader Coun Dave Merrett spoke of the need for a balance between the need for open space and to attract developer funding. He said the public should be invited to give its views on the issue during the public consultation.

Earlier, Coun Merrett effectively called for the demolition of the huge Ryedale Building office block in Piccadilly as part of the area's redevelopment because of its impact on the skyline.

With support from Liberal Democrat Quentin Macdonald, he said the brief should encourage any proposals to "address the dominant and negative impact of this building".

The consultation, which will involve local residents, businesses, and a range of interested groups and statutory organisations, will start shortly and last eight weeks.

Updated: 09:43 Thursday, August 04, 2005