THE Government’s environmental watchdog has poured cold water on plans to bring a big wheel back to York, saying the proposed site is an area at risk of flooding.

World Tourist Attractions Ltd (WTA) wants permission to put the ride, which would be about 60 metres high, in St George’s Field car park.

But bosses at the Environment Agency (EA), which is objecting to the scheme, said planning policy stated there was a “high probability of flooding” occurring at the proposed location.

St George’s Field has been submerged on at least 98 days in the past decade, according to City of York Council figures.

Bev Lambert, of the EA’s planning department, said: “We’re objecting to this application as the proposed site is regularly prone to flooding.

“We would object to almost any development on this site because of the risk to users.”

In addition, as of yesterday, nine local residents had written to or emailed City of York Council expressing their opposition to the application.

One emailer wrote: “I feel it is absolutely inappropriate to reduce available parking spaces in the city when we are dependent on visitors for so much of our livelihood.

“As the owner of a property directly opposite the proposed site, I object to the invasion of my privacy that would be involved.

“Such a wheel would enable users to see into most rooms in my house.

“The noise level would also be unacceptable.”

The wheel would be bigger than the one taken down at the National Railway Museum last November, but permission would initially be for a three-month trial period only.

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

Stabilising tanks would be fitted to the wheel base.

A WTA spokesman said it was not the firm’s policy to comment on pending planning applications until the result of the final planning hearing.

He said: “We are hopeful of a positive outcome and look forward to bringing a world-class attraction to York city centre this summer. World Tourist Attractions realises there are objectors to the proposed wheel on St George’s Field car park. There are also many supporters, including the executive committee of City of York Council, the York Retailers’ Forum and Visit York.”

WTA has previously said that the wheel would sit well in the car park because it was an established location for temporary leisure uses.

The company said the wheel would be a diversion for riverside walkers, would complement other nearby visitor attractions, such as Clifford’s Tower and the York Castle Museum, and would spread visitors more widely across the city.