A CAMPAIGN to halt controversial plans for Coppergate II has gone worldwide.

The Castle Area Campaign Group claims signatures on an internet petition calling for the £60 million scheme to be scrapped have come from as far away as Kuwait, Mexico and New Zealand.

Stella-Anne Jackson, group co-ordinator, said: "What's more, the York campaign has received fantastic support from academics, politicians, residents and tourists who love our city and its heritage."

The Coppergate II proposals would build shops, office space and accommodation on land currently used by the Castle car park, next to Clifford's Tower.

Huge opposition prompted a public inquiry into the plans. That has now been completed, and the inspector's decision is awaited.

Stuart Wilson, group spokesman, said: "I've always felt strongly that this is not just a little local planning difficulty.

"Clifford's Tower, and maybe York as a whole, has resonance all over the world and significance to so many people and groups.

"It is just not acceptable that a handful of council officers and politicians can force an unwanted scheme through which will not only affect us as citizens of York, but will be detrimental to our repuation throughout the world as custodians of such impressive heritage."

Updated: 12:20 Monday, November 04, 2002