THE chief of York's planning department has been quizzed about why an officer's criticisms of Coppergate Riverside were not put before councillors.

Roy Templeman, the authority's director of environment and development services, was asked about a memo written by City of York Council's conservation architect, Janine Riley, as he gave evidence at a public inquiry.

It listed strong concerns about the architecture and "weak" landscaping of the scheme, as well as the size and design of the £60 million development, between Clifford's Tower and Piccadilly.

And it sparked an internal council investigation after the Evening Press revealed that it had not been seen by councillors who gave the controversial scheme the go-ahead, in November 2000.

Under cross-examination from the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) at the public inquiry, being held in the Guildhall, Mr Templeman was asked why Miss Riley's memorandum had not been seen.

He said: "We brought forward a considerable volume of experts, and councillors were shown the team's views, rather than those of an individual.

"Some of the issues she raised were outside the area of expertise of the author."

The internal investigation found that there had been no evidence of malpractice.

Mr Templeman had earlier told the inquiry that Coppergate Riverside represented a "unique and essential" opportunity to extend the city centre and strengthen its viability.

It would help prevent the decline of city centre shopping in favour of out-of-town centres, he claimed.

He said in proof of evidence that the development also presented an opportunity to connect the historic Eye of York, Castle Museum and Tower with the Minster.

Mr Templeman was speaking on the fifth day of the inquiry into Land Securities' proposals for shops, restaurants and apartments.

"There is an existing and increasing pressure for retailers to locate away from the city centre," he said.

He warned that if the scheme did not go ahead, there would be difficulties for the planning authority in resisting pressure for fresh out-of-town developments.

Mr Templeman warned of the dangers of a "declining spiral" for York if the city centre's attractiveness was not maintained and investment was not encouraged.

"All too often we have seen across the country examples where cities and towns have relaxed and lost their focus on the need to maintain policies and promote actions which encourage investment in their centres," Mr Templeman said.

The net effect in some towns had been a wholesale loss of retail and leisure investments, with a loss of attractiveness to visitors and residents.

He claimed the proposal would vastly increase the quality of the urban environment in Piccadilly and along the River Foss.

"The development proposal has effectively sought to address the historic, present day and future needs of the site and the city centre," he said.

The inquiry continues today.

Updated: 12:25 Wednesday, January 23, 2002