LANDOWNER Martin Burgess today unveiled these proposals to refurbish and redevelop a key property in York's Piccadilly.

The project to create 14 apartments and a restaurant or shop at number 34 - currently occupied by Greens furniture store - is in stark contrast to Land Securities' Coppergate Riverside proposals, which involve a brand new structure on the site.

Mr Burgess, who last week revealed that he would not voluntarily sell the property to make way for the Coppergate Riverside project, said he viewed his scheme as the beginning of a "plan B" for the area which would serve as a "catalyst for regeneration."

He intended handing details of the proposals over today to the inspector at the public inquiry into Coppergate Riverside.

But he does not yet intend submitting a planning application to City of York Council, saying it would be futile.

"It would be met with an automatic refusal," he said. "For modest, small-scale, mixed-use projects with low car dependency that are well-designed, attractive, innovative, lively, sustainable, flexible, deliverable and city-friendly are diametrically opposed to the "sledgehammer" policy that our city council are insisting upon for this most historic of areas."

Mr Burgess hit the headlines last summer when he unveiled his vision for the whole area between Clifford's Tower and Piccadilly which is affected by Land Securities' scheme.

His new, more detailed proposal for the one property which he owns, has been drawn up by architects Regan Miller Associates of Leeds. Architect John Regan said the Castle Quarter concept was being advanced at a practical and detailed level by the proposals for number 34.

"This plot represents a tiny part of the whole area, but is intended as an exemplar which would combine sound economics and vitality with an architecture of appropriate scale and detail."

He said the existing structure, built in the 1930s as a car showroom and maintenance workshops, had an internal concrete structure of high load-bearing capacity which could be adapted to new uses in a sustainable manner.

"Modern, open-plan apartments and live/work units, each with a small balcony, are arranged along the river frontage, with additional space captured by a new lightweight penthouse storey."

There would also be a decked restaurant area over the River Foss.

Another feature of the proposal is a tiny central courtyard, creating a focus for the small community, which he described as a "contemporary interpretation of the arcaded 'cortile' of the Renaissance Palazzo."

He added: "Detailed proposals for the scheme have been worked up and costed."

Updated: 11:24 Tuesday, May 28, 2002