IT is one of York's most vital, but highly sensitive, projects - and today the hunt was on again to find a new home for the Arc Light homeless hostel.

A detailed list of 36 possible locations, including council offices at St Leonard's Place, the Bonding Warehouse and York Central, was revealed by York council, so the "whole picture was available to all".

Today, campaigners who opposed Arc Light's move to Shipton Street, welcomed the council's openness.

A list of sites which could house one of York's most vital but controversial projects - the new Arc Light homeless centre - was unveiled today.

The council offices at St Leonard's Place, the Bonding Warehouse and York Central are among the 36 possible locations which form the "comprehensive list" of places where the project, which helps homeless people back on their feet, could eventually move.

City of York Council today said none of the sites were being "promoted as appropriate for this use at this stage".

The authority said it wanted to reveal to York residents which sites could be used so the "whole picture was available to all".

The council's approach was backed by campaigners and ward councillors in Clifton, where Arc Light's previous plan to build a 34-bed centre on the site of Shipton Street School was scuppered because of local reaction.

Council chiefs said people would be asked for their views to help find Arc Light's new home, if councillors agreed to back the ideas of officers at an executive meeting on February 7.

Arc Light is working in partnership with York Housing Association and the council to relocate its service from its current home at the Bullnose building, on Leeman Road.

The building, which was only ever designed as temporary accommodation, is said to be outdated, in poor condition and expensive to maintain.

Many of the sites on the list are council-owned, because Arc Light's failure at Shipton Street meant the first part of a grant from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) - £750,000 - was lost.

A total of £1.65 million still remains to be invested but officers believe that would not be enough money to secure a "private site" at full market cost.

On the list are sites such as the Carriageworks Canteen, in Holgate, the former working men's club at the back of Bishopthorpe Road shops, and a building in Piccadilly.

A plot at the Germany Beck development will also be considered, but officers feel that site is unlikely to be available in the timescale needed by Arc Light.

The list includes two possible sites in Clifton - Ashbank in Shipton Road, and the Clifton Family Centre, in Kingsway North.

Coun Ken King, Clifton ward councillor, who first revealed Arc Light's plans for Shipton Street, said he welcomed the council's new approach.

"I certainly believe Arc Light needs to be relocated, and think most people in York would feel the same way," he said.

"This is going in the right direction. The report talks about consultation - obviously some of the sites pointed out will be contentious - but as long as that is done, and we really listen to what people say, then out of that list we can find a site which everyone is happy with."

Dave Nicholson, chair of the Joint Committee of Clifton Residents' Associations, which campaigned against the use of Shipton Street and demanded more consultation, said: "This seems a much fairer way of proceeding and was what we asked for all along.

"This simply convinces us our protests were right. This is much better, but we would like them to look at the issue of large concentration. All the evidence we have uncovered indicates a large unit doesn't work as effectively as multiple small units."

Should councillors agree to the process, criteria would be used to draw up a shortlist of sites - following comments received from the public - which would be brought back to members for consideration before a new round of consultation with local residents.

Quentin Macdonald, the council's resources chief, said: "I am happy to proceed on this basis. I welcome the wider consultation and look forward to seeing the results."

York MP Hugh Bayley, pictured, said he would continue to press for Government funding - despite the loss of £750,000 from the ODPM.

"Arc Light has dramatically reduced the number of people sleeping rough on the streets of York. I am glad the council is being open, and consulting widely. It's what it should have done in the first place," he said.

"It wouldn't have lost £750,000 of Government funding if it had done this a year ago. I have spoken to the ODPM, and that money has gone for good.

"There is no guarantee of further funding but I will do all I can, when a suitable site is identified, to get some financial support from Government."

Council leader Steve Galloway said: "The process the Executive is being asked to agree seeks to address some of the concerns raised during the debate about Shipton Street. Residents will know all the options, and have the opportunity to influence the criteria which will be used to select a preferred site.

"When such a site has been determined further consultation will take place through the normal planning process. It is a fair and open process, and one which has cross-party support. It would be wrong to suppose though that there may still not be some level of opposition.

"I am convinced improved facilities for the homeless are required in York and the Arc Light project continues to have my support."

Criteria for new Arc Light site YORK'S political leaders have stated their support for Arc Light, and advised the process of identifying possible sites should be as open and transparent as possible.

Arc Light and York Housing Association, who would develop the new homeless centre, have proposed a list of "essential criteria" that any new location must meet.

These include:

A site which is a minimum of 1,600 to 1,800 square metres

On or close to a main thoroughfare, and within easy walking distance of the city centre

24-hour access to the city centre along well-lit routes

External appearance to be non-institutional

Security for guests and neighbours.

Battle lines drawn over Shipton Street ARC Light's first attempt to build its new homeless centre was one of the most divisive campaigns in recent years in York.

From the minute Labour councillors in Clifton revealed Shipton Street School was the proposed site for a 34-bed homeless centre, battle lines were drawn.

Thousands in Clifton signed petitions protesting against the development and bombarded council meetings to voice their fears.

Council chiefs said tight funding deadlines meant the scheme had to go ahead, and Clifton councillor Ken King, pictured, revealed to the Evening Press he had been urged not to release details of the scheme when he had learned of them, in July, leading to claims of "gagging".

A campaigning group, the Joint Committee of Clifton Residents' Associations, was formed and sent open letters to homeowners and city political chiefs outlining their concerns.

The BNP got in on the act - leafleting homes around Shipton Street. Council leader Steve Galloway accused campaigners of basing their arguments on "bigoted lies".

Weight of numbers at a meeting to discuss the sale of the school to Arc Light meant it had to be cancelled. That led Arc Light bosses to reconsider and the Shipton Street scheme was abandoned on September 30.

A Freedom of Information Act request later revealed resources chief Quentin Macdonald was worried at how consultation with residents had been conducted and warned officers there could be uproar if his concerns were not dealt with.

Updated: 12:31 Tuesday, January 31, 2006