THE redevelopment of York's Barbican Centre has been thrown into doubt, after protesters won the go-ahead to mount a legal challenge.

The Save Our Barbican (SOB) campaign group has been granted legal aid, enabling it to apply for a judicial review of City of York Council's decision to grant the controversial scheme planning permission.

Senior councillors have warned that if the project is delayed, the authority's plans to build a replacement swimming pool nearby could be jeopardised.

The council's leisure executive member, Keith Orrell, called on the group to "take the good of the community into account" before proceeding with a legal challenge.

SOB spokesman Ernie Dickinson said he had been advised not to comment at this stage, other than to confirm that the application was going ahead.

But he added: "I just ask people to remember who closed the pool down prematurely in the spring."

Campaigners have indicated previously that the key thrust of their legal challenge concerned an alleged failure by City of York Council to conduct a full environmental impact assessment before giving the go-ahead.

It is understood they believe an assessment was warranted under national planning rules because the project, particularly the construction of a huge block of 240 apartments, would have a major impact on both the historic city walls and residents living in Barbican Road.

The redevelopment, which also includes a refurbishment of the auditorium, a large new lounge bar, and a hotel and conference facilities, is scheduled to begin in December after the UK Snooker Championships have finished.

The council plans to use money from the sale of the site to build a new pool nearby by 2006.

Council leader Steve Galloway has condemned the protesters, saying: "At the end of the day, history will record that users of the Barbican were dealt a major blow by a handful of people claiming to act on their behalf."

He said the council could only hope that the opponents did not waste council taxpayers' money "to try and undo something that's far beyond the point of return".

He claimed the judicial review would jeopardise the quality of replacement facilities at the centre. Costs were mounting up and with each week of delay, there was £10,000 less to spend on fitness facilities. He added that it was "not economical" to re-open the Barbican pool at this stage.

Andrew Cossins, of the developers Barbican Venture, said: "We understand that legal aid has potentially been granted, although we are not aware on what grounds.

"Irrespective of this, we remain fully committed to the project and look forward to bringing this exciting development to fruition."

Updated: 10:34 Saturday, October 16, 2004