THE leader of a campaign group backing York's Coppergate Riverside scheme has accused opponents of a hostile, hysterical approach verging on intimidation.

Trevor Kidd, chairman of Friends of Riverside (FOR), claimed that a number of York shopkeepers had refused to put the group's posters in their windows for fear a brick might be thrown through.

But he later admitted he could not prove Riverside objectors had ever resorted to violence, although he said anti-Riverside graffiti had certainly been painted at times and he felt the way some objectors had expressed their views had been intimidatory.

He also declared that the "silent majority" of people in York supported Land Securities' £60 million scheme to re-develop land between Clifford's Tower and Piccadilly with shops, restaurants and apartments.

Mr Kidd, who lives in Piccadilly, was speaking at the public inquiry into the controversial proposals, which are opposed by a number of different pressure groups and individuals.

He told the inquiry chairman: "It would be a travesty if you were to leave York with the impression that the objections represent the majority.

"You know the objectors are here virtually every day. The seats that count are those that are empty. They represent the rest who are getting on with the city's life - the silent majority."

Mr Kidd said the current "semi-dereliction" in Piccadilly was unworthy of its close proximity to Clifford's Tower. He had concerns about how quickly developer confidence might evaporate when faced by a succession of obstacles placed by people claiming to represent the majority view.

Meanwhile, York Conservative Association has called for a public consultation with every York resident before the Secretary of State decides whether or not to give the go-ahead to the scheme.

Association deputy chairman Ken Beaven said: "The view of every resident on the future of the Castle precinct site should be sought in a professionally conducted poll, commissioned not by the vested interests of the city council or the developer but by a trusted, independent source such as your own inspectorate."

Mr Beaven claimed there was a groundswell of objection from the people of York that "a unique site of international importance, precious to the 1,000 years of York's heritage, should now be sold out to a mess of commercial pottage."

The hearing continues.

Updated: 16:46 Thursday, May 23, 2002