SETTING Clifford's Tower within open parkland would do nothing to improve its position near Piccadilly, York, according to a senior City of York Council officer.

Speaking at the ongoing Coppergate Riverside inquiry, Tony Dennis, head of environment and conservation, said York Tomorrow's proposals for parkland on the site of the existing castle car park made no proposal to improve Piccadilly.

He said it was also unclear how the scheme would be implemented and managed.

But Land Securities' £60 million plan for a 250,000 square foot development in Piccadilly, and in the shadow of Clifford's Tower, would integrate the area with its historic surroundings, he said.

Talking about the York Tomorrow plan, Mr Dennis said: "The application does not address how the scheme would be delivered and managed.

"It also makes no proposals for the improvement of Piccadilly, which at present is a very poor setting for Clifford's Tower."

But, speaking about the Land Securities proposal, he said: "(It) is an appropriate solution to the comprehensive redevelopment of the Castle and Piccadilly area.

"It gives the opportunity for expanding York's city centre in an appropriate design vocabulary, integrates the buildings of the castle area with the historic street of Castlegate, and gives a new focus to the River Foss.

"The York Tomorrow appeal - while it would be beneficial in visual terms due to the removal of the car park - maintains the isolation of the buildings around the Eye of York.

"It is not an appropriate way to achieve the comprehensive redevelopment and improvement of this important historical area."

Cross-examination of Mr Dennis was continuing today.

Planners gave developers the go-ahead for the Coppergate Riverside scheme in November 2000.

But it was "called in" by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott after massive opposition. The inquiry will also look at an appeal by York Tomorrow, which was refused permission for its parkland scheme.

* The inquiry continues on Tuesday.

Updated: 16:44 Friday, January 25, 2002