A BLUEPRINT for reviving a vital part of York's historic heart has been given the go-ahead.

Following a four-hour meeting, city planning chiefs voted last night to accept a document setting out ground rules for the development of the Castle area - more than two years after the controversial Coppergate Riverside scheme was rejected by a Government planning inspector.

The decision came despite opposition from a number of groups, which fear the area could be spoiled by too much retail development.

They argued the planning brief for the area was still too vague, and failed to do enough to safeguard the open space between Clifford's Tower and Piccadilly.

Members of City of York Council's planning committee made a few changes to the plan, including an amendment stating that larger retailers would be confined to the eastern side of the River Foss at Piccadilly.

Planners had consulted with several groups before drafting the brief, and most made representations at the meeting, including the Castle Area Campaign, York Tomorrow and York Civic Trust.

Trust spokesman Peter Brown said they had been given insufficient time to digest the planning brief.

"Our overriding concern is the degree of open space in the vicinity of Clifford's Tower and the amount of retail it can accommodate," he said.

"Unless some guidance is given, we will be in the same position as a decade ago."

Adam Sinclair, of York Chamber of Trade, told councillors he was still concerned about the effect of larger retailers establishing outlets in the Castle area and damaging smaller businesses further in the city centre.

Philip Crowe, of York Tomorrow, said: "I can't understand why the brief can't be more specific. Can't we have an open space-led brief, or is that too much to ask?"

But Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing said: "I recognise Clifford's Tower is a sensitive area and special to peoples' hearts, but I think the officers have looked at this and addressed it well."

Coun Ann Reid said some parties had "not moved an inch" on their feelings for the scheme, despite unprecedented consultation. "We have to keep up with the (retail) competition," she said.

"Why should people have to go to Leeds?"

Former councillor Ken Beavan told the meeting: "The nub of the whole problem is the implied encroachment onto the west bank vista facing Clifford's Tower.

"This will remain a running sore throughout subsequent proceedings unless the nettle is grasped and this vital issue is resolved unequivocally."

:: Key objectives of the brief include:

To create an outstanding development that demonstrates the principles of sustainable development

To ensure the development is of the highest architectural quality

To promote a mixed use development of the highest quality which ensures the retail needs of the city are met

To create a new open and civic space around the Eye of York and Clifford's Tower

To maximise the potential of the River Foss

Updated: 09:31 Friday, March 24, 2006