Wednesday update: 

SUPPORTERS have pledged more than £2,000 in 24 hours to help Independent York councillor Johnny Hayes in his legal challenge to plans for a controversial new visitors’ centre at the foot of Clifford’s Tower.

The Micklegate councillor is seeking crowdfunding backing of £7,800 within a month to help meet the costs of an application for judicial review of the City of York Council decision to approve English Heritage’s planning application.

Original story

A COUNCILLOR has launched a fundraising drive to help meet the costs of a legal challenge to plans for a visitors' centre at the foot of Clifford's Tower.

Independent Johnny Hayes announced last week he was applying for judicial review of the decision to grant planning permission.

He says now that he and his wife have already paid £7,354 of their own money towards the costs, and they have started crowdfunding to try to meet those costs and possible further fees.

Cllr Hayes said he strongly believed the planning process had been 'seriously flawed' and should be reviewed.

"We believe it deserves a better plan than this ill conceived addition. I have therefore applied to the High Court for a Judicial Review and the process has commenced."

He said that if the judicial review was successful, the aim would be to persuade English Heritage and City of York Council to consider alternative sites away from the mound, which included the re-modelling of the 'ugly' Castle Car Park next to the tower.

"We are very optimistic that this Judicial Review will be successful. If we are successful then this will allow York the opportunity to give this beautiful monument and area a more fitting plan for the future."

The council said last week it was 'disappointed' that the judicial review application had been lodged at the High Court, saying it would cause a delay, which it considered unnecessary, to English Heritage’s project to provide greater access to, and enjoyment of, the tower.

English Heritage said it had been pleased to have received planning permission for the project, after taking enormous care in preparing the planning application, and it remained committed.

*Cllr Hayes' crowdfunding page can be found by going to www.crowdjustice.org/case/cliffords-tower/