THE controversial £60 million Coppergate Centre extension has won its first major battle - to gain the support of the city's professional planners.

But both objectors and planning officers are urging that Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott takes the matter out of the City of York Council's hands and hold a public inquiry.

It was the only point that united the protesters and planners today as it emerged that assistant director of planning Ian Thomson will recommend councillors on Thursday to back the scheme with several conditions.

Dr John Shannon, for York Civic Trust, said: "I very much regret the recommendation of the officers approval should be given to the application, particularly as they have noted the main objections to the scheme, viz - the scale, mass and height, the proximity to Clifford's Tower and Caf Andros, the visual impact on the Eye of York and the design of the buildings and the materials used."

Mr Thomson's proposed conditions did not deal adequately with these matters, he added, and he called for Mr Prescott to call the matter in before the full council makes a decision on the scheme.

Eric Pearson, for the York Alliance, said of the recommendation: "It is no more than we expected."

He added: "We are continuing to fight and there is a long way to go yet."

The Alliance has already written to Mr Prescott calling for an inquiry.

A spokesman for English Heritage, the owners of Clifford's Tower, said they were disappointed by the recommendation.

But Land Securities, the company behind the scheme, welcomed the planning officers' support.

Its senior development surveyor Richard Akers, the man in charge of Coppergate Phase II said: "We have been through an extensive consultation period and all views, both for and against our development, have been fully aired.

"As long-term investors in York, it is our sincere belief that the revised scheme - which was produced after taking on board the comments of local people, organisations and the City of York Council - has resulted in a high quality development which will enhance the city's future prosperity, without detracting from the richness of its past."

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