PLANS to bring a big wheel back to York have taken a major step forward after developers unveiled details of their latest plans.

World Tourist Attractions (WTA) has applied to City of York Council for planning permission to put a wheel in St George’s Field car park. The wheel would be bigger than the old one at the National Railway Museum but permission would initially be for a three-month trial period only.

The 60-metre structure would have 42 pods, and would be on a north-south orientation, broadly parallel to the River Ouse.

A spokesman for the firm said the wheel would sit well in the car park because:

* It was an established location for temporary leisure uses

* It would be a diversion for riverside walkers

* It would complement other nearby visitor attractions, such as Clifford’s Tower and The Castle Museum

* It would spread visitors more widely across the city.

He said: “A wheel of this size is suitable to serve visitors and local residents and is likely to draw custom from further afield than the shopping centre and other local attractions.

“Notwithstanding its size and location and the fact that it will feature in both near and distant views, the wheel does not obscure views as it can be seen through. So it will be visible to those approaching the city centre but will not obscure the buildings that are its immediate neighbours, nor indeed affect the skyline.”

St George’s Field is prone to flooding, and has been submerged on 98 days in the past decade, according to council figures. Stabilising tanks would be fitted to the wheel base.

WTA had a wheel at the National Railway Museum from April 2006 until November 2008. It has said before that it wanted a more central location, but an attempt to put up a smaller wheel in North Street Gardens, beside the Park Inn Hotel, was rejected by the council executive.

It has said it will not stand in the way of the St George’s Field application, meaning the council’s planning officers or committee can settle the matter.

The WTA spokesman said: “WTA are the global market leaders in the operation of these graceful machines, having previously operated in some of the world’s leading locations including Belfast, Brisbane, Brussels, Glasgow, London, Manchester, Paris, Perth, Singapore and Windsor.

“We are excited at the possibility of returning to York and delivering a world-class attraction for local residents, businesses and visitors to the city. We are confident that, if approved, the wheel will add to the city’s tourism offering and be a welcome return of a much-missed landmark.”