TOWERING over the River Ouse and neighbouring buildings, and visible across the city – this is the first view of how a big wheel on the bank of the River Ouse would look from Ouse Bridge.

These artists’ impressions show how York’s riverside skyline would drastically change if World Tourist Attractions (WTA) gets its way and puts a new Yorkshire Wheel in North Street.

Seen from Lendal Bridge, the wheel dominates the view down the Ouse, looming between the Norwich Union building and the Park Inn Hotel.

It is visible even from Ouse Bridge, despite the hitherto dominating presence of the Park Inn. Tourism chiefs have already backed plans for the new wheel with a spokeswoman saying it could revive the riverside.

She said: “This is currently an underused part of the city and siting the wheel there could bring in families, making it a safer area which can be enjoyed by all.”

WTA has said its old location did not offer the kind of views necessary for the wheel to provide an “exciting visitor experience”.

It says it needs a city-centre site, and it believes North Street gardens to be its only option one. The new wheel would be purpose-made for York.

City of York Council’s ruling executive will meet on Tuesday next week to decide whether it is willing to let WTA use public land for the wheel, although the move would still be subject to planning permission.

The council has owned the gardens since they were donated by the Rowntree family in 1959.

Conservationists have opposed putting a wheel in North Street but as reported in The Press on Saturday, a public survey carried out as part of the council’s budget consultation revealed broad public support. The move would generate rental income for the council.

Charlie Croft, the council’s assistant director of lifelong learning and culture, has also backed the idea of a new wheel.

He said it had become “part of the iconography” of York’s skyline and said it could help regenerate York’s riverside and its evening economy.

“It is thought that moving it to a central location will, in effect, create a new attraction, at least for a couple of years, which will increase its profile,” he has written in his report to next week’s executive meeting.

“In addition, the wheel will enhance the night-time economy and bring business to a neglected part of the city.

“There will also be a benefit to local and nearby retailers at a time when the current economic slowdown means that they need new ways to attract footfall.”

But council leader Andrew Waller has previously voiced fears over the site’s proximity to flood defences and All Saints’ Church. York Civic Trust and York Conservation Trust have also expressed opposition to the move.

WTA chief executive Nigel Ward has said a detailed planning application will be tabled by the end of this month.