York centre plans bogged down by 'too much jargon' |
| Written by yorkguides.co.uk | |
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Paul Jeeves (Yorkshire Post)
Campaigners have claimed that the panorama of Clifford's Tower in York could be lost forever if proposals for a multi-million pound redevelopment of Coppergate become a reality.A DOSE of old fashioned Yorkshire plain speaking has been called for to ensure the view of one of the nation's best-loved historic monument is preserved. Green Party councillors have now called for Yorkshire's famous bluntness to ensure that planning documents do not become bogged down in jargon. Coun Mark Hill (Green, Fishergate), a member of York Council's planning committee, claimed that a brief which is out for public consultation until Friday was blighted by vague terms open to interpretation. He added: "Without any target, all we are left with is vague encouragement to 'enhance the historic character' on an 'open carpet' in a 'sphere of influence'. "What is needed is some old-fashioned Yorkshire plain-talking – keep the plan in plain English, keep the tower in plain view." The Green Party has also criticised an alleged bias toward the retail element of the "mixed-use" scheme, which could see shops built next to the monument. Coun Hill said: "The word 'culture' appears in the brief 12 times, 'heritage' 18 times and 'community' 21, but 'retail' is mentioned 103 times. "The inspector at the public inquiry clearly stated that the historic character of the area should be the over-riding concern. A visit to the Postern Gate will show how the council is capable of making major planning mistakes in sensitive and historic areas." Coun Hill claimed the view of the tower, on the site of a castle built in 1068, rivalled that of York Minster, and was invaluable to the city's tourism. Coun Hill added: "The public have only got until Friday to express their opinions. It might still be in the early stages... but this is when major decisions are made." However, Coun Ann Reid (Lib Dem, Dringhouses and Woodthorpe), York Council's executive member for planning, said no decision for the redevelopment of Coppergate would be reached until the public's views had been analysed carefully. Coun Reid added: "The brief is out for consultation, and it will be interesting to see if people's opinions are the same as those of Coun Hill. "I will be waiting to see the whole range of responses before I make up my own mind." |
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