YORK'S Coppergate Riverside scheme today came under a sustained and devastating attack from a Government-backed architectural advisory body.

The architecture of the £60 million redevelopment project was branded "not worthy of its location" near medieval Clifford's Tower and other nationally important 18th century buildings.

Nathalie Lieven, of the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), also claimed that the scheme set a benchmark for more major retail schemes now coming forward in the heart of historic cities across Britain.

It was critically important that the benchmark was set at a high standard.

"The consequence of doing otherwise would be little short of disastrous for those historic cities," she said.

Her comments were made at the long-running public inquiry into Land Securities' proposals for shops, restaurants and apartments on land between the tower and Piccadilly.

She said CABE had been given the task by the Government of promoting the very best of architecture in the country. This was the first inquiry it had attended to oppose the granting of planning permission. "This indicates the importance CABE attaches to this scheme.

"In CABE's view, this proposal does not meet the standard of excellence in architecture which it was set up to promote. This matters because Coppergate is centrally important in terms of standards to be set for the future.

"This flows from the location and the effect that this scheme will have in setting a standard for future retail schemes in other cities in the UK."

The hearing continues

Updated: 15:16 Friday, May 24, 2002