CAMPAIGNERS are calling for major changes to the proposed new blueprint for York's Castle area when councillors debate it tonight.

The Castle Area Campaign (CAC), which played a leading role in the battle to defeat the original Coppergate Riverside scheme in 2003, says the new planning brief is "still way too vague".

It says it does not want the sensitive area near Clifford's Tower to end up with another shopping mall.

The brief, which has been drawn up by council officers following extensive public consultation, is to be considered by the council's full planning committee.

It outlines how prospective developers would be expected to redevelop the land between the historic tower and Piccadilly, much of it currently occupied by the Castle car park.

The original Coppergate Riverside proposals generated massive controversy, with several organisations including CAC, York Tomorrow and York Civic Trust, attacking it during a lengthy public inquiry in 2003.

Protesters wanted a larger public open space created in the shadow of the tower. The proposals were later thrown out by the Government.

CAC said the council had consulted with the public and with groups such as York Civic Trust, York Tomorrow and York Georgian Society to find a way forward, and it applauded the authority's consultative approach. It said it sought to work in a positive way with the council, but still wanted the brief amending.

Spokesman Gordon Campbell-Thomas said it wanted the redevelopment to be for the benefit of York citizens, visitors and local businesses, and to have due regard to the area's sensitive heritage.

"We've engaged with the council as part of the Castle Piccadilly Reference Group to try to achieve a decent compromise, but the new planning brief is still way too vague. The Castle Area Campaign Group has asked the council to reconsider the brief in a way that puts heritage as its primary concern, in order that the city is not thrown into another lengthy and expensive public inquiry if another inappropriate planning application comes forward."

Council leader Steve Galloway said the brief had been subject to extensive consultation, including people who had objected to the original Coppergate proposals. He said: "Everything possible has been done to achieve a real consensus. I hope everyone will feel able to unite behind what is decided at the committee."

Updated: 09:42 Thursday, March 23, 2006