CAMPAIGNERS claimed today that the new planning blueprint for York's Castle area was like the "light at the end of a long dark tunnel".

The Castle Area Campaign (CAC), one of the protest groups which successfully blocked the original Coppergate Riverside proposals for the land near Clifford's Tower, said it was now "optimistically hopeful" about the future of the site.

Its comments followed a four-hour debate by City of York Council planning committee about the new ground rules for the redevelopment of the area.

During the meeting, councillors accepted an amendment by Coun Ruth Potter, stating that larger retailers would be confined to the Piccadilly side of the River Foss.

CAC chairman Gordon Campbell-Thomas claimed this swung the planning brief in favour of creating a green and open space from the base of Clifford's Tower to the bank of the Foss. I couldn't believe it as I heard it (the amendment) being read out," he said.

"It was as if suddenly there was light at the end of a long dark tunnel, because I could see a way forward.

"It does not mean that we get everything we wanted, but more importantly, it allows the concerns of the people of York to be taken on board in any future development of the Castle Piccadilly site by setting back on to the other side of the river any large retail provision."

He said it was the large shopping mall building proposed in front of Clifford's Tower that had sparked off the protests last time round, when a lengthy public inquiry was held into Coppergate Riverside.

"This shouldn't happen now, but we will keep a watchful eye on events."

Meanwhile, the company behind the Coppergate Riverside proposals, Land Securities, said today it hoped the development brief would provide a means for everyone with an interest in the city's future to move forward together.

Regional director Gerald Jennings said: "As long-term investors in York and owners and managers of the Coppergate Centre, we are keen to see the city centre thrive by having the range of shops, mix of uses and associated facilities that serve the needs of residents and visitors alike.

"The development brief, which has emerged through one of the most inclusive and far-reaching consultation exercises ever carried out in York, provides a good starting point for the future regeneration of the area and now it has been approved by the council we will study it in detail before making further comment."

Updated: 09:30 Saturday, March 25, 2006