AN ARCHITECT behind York's Coppergate Riverside proposals has been challenged over the aesthetic impact on historic buildings nearby.

Nigel Woolner admitted that fast-food outlets could feature in the development, while insisting all cafs and restaurants would be well-managed.

Mr Woolner, of Land Securities' architects Chapman Taylor, was being tackled by representatives of York Civic Trust and the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) on the third day of the public inquiry into the £60 million scheme.

Mr Woolner had earlier defended the design, saying it would complement rather than compete with historic buildings in the locality, including Clifford's Tower.

But trust solicitor Philip Maude quizzed him over a range of issues, including the proposed servicing bays, advertising signs for bars and cafs, and the prospects of fast-food restaurants opening up.

CABE barrister Nathalie Lieven asked the architect whether sufficient detail had been given for proposed buildings near the tower in the planning application.

Mr Woolner said the whole proposal would be subject to detailed conditions afterwards.

But CABE's counsel asked how the Secretary of State could reach a judgement on "this most sensitive of buildings", if some of the most crucial features were not yet known.

Mr Maude asked how many servicing bays there would be for the new development, and whether they would be visible from the tower.

Mr Woolner said there would be two bay doors visible from the tower, although the doors would be closed most of the time.

He asked if the development would be a suitable location for fast-food outlets. Mr Woolner replied: "Provided they are properly managed."

He said: "For the cafs and restaurants, the key is proper management.

"Our clients would be extremely selective in who they would let to."

He said the catering facilities would be an asset to visitors to York.

Mr Maude suggested restaurants would want to put signs out to advertise their businesses.

Mr Woolner said signs would be controlled.

The trust's solicitor queried the proposed three large buildings in Piccadilly, including a huge department store, asking if they were typical of York city centre.

Mr Woolner said they were not typical of streets in the historic core, such as Stonegate.But he felt they were more typical in streets such as Parliament Street.

The apartments proposed for above the shops were also raised by Mr Maude, who asked what would happen to flat roof space in front of them.

Mr Woolner said there would be balconies, but furniture such as sunshades would not be allowed.

The inquiry continues

Updated: 11:58 Friday, January 18, 2002