An international alliance of architects, civil engineers and building professionals have joined with local residents to condemn controversial proposals to extend York's Coppergate Centre.

They have accused City of York Council of failing to respect the history in its care - and of planning to turn an internationally-important conservation area into a shopping plaza.

Ege Yildrim, a city planner from Turkey, told a public meeting about the scheme last night that she and more than 20 colleagues from all over the world were shocked by the proposals for the castle site.

"York is renowned worldwide for its conservation and its image," she said.

She is just one signatory of a letter to the planning authority which says: "An international body of conservation students, among us many mid-career professionals, has gathered in the University of York, expecting to find York a centre of excellence in conservation.

"We have been disappointed to see the lack of respect in the city council's approach to conserving its architectural heritage."

The group, which has members from Greece, Italy, Japan, India and Canada, also says: "The importance of the castle area cannot be overstressed, as it has an international meaning for the whole of northern Europe This value should be better appreciated by all responsible for its future."

The castle area has never and should not be a commercial area, say the international professionals, and the city has unused shopping areas elsewhere.

"It would be better still to transform the car park into a recreational space for tourists and residents alike."

Residents who crowded last night's meeting also spoke out against the proposals - and were furious at receiving a letter from the city council inviting them to comment on the scheme only a day before the deadline for making comments was up.

David Stoddart, who lives in the Guildhall area of York, told his local neighbourhood forum the city had no central park and needed one for children.

Valerie MacLeod, also from Guildhall, warned that the developers would build "strong, red strident coloured" buildings if the scheme went ahead.

Architect Chris Cook, another Guildhall resident, told how he had a council letter, dated November 26, telling him about an exhibition on the centre on November 18 to 20 and asking him to send written comments by November 27, the day he received the letter.

Deputy director of planning Ian Thompson apologised unreservedly for the "administrative error," saying the letter was really acknowledging earlier comments.A spokesman for Land Securities said today the firm felt the Coppergate II proposals did respect the "very important and historic surroundings" of the Cliffords Tower area of York. He said the company was a long-term investor in the city.

He said: "We are furthering and enhancing its role as a major shopping and tourist destination in the UK and Europe."

see READERS LETTERS 'Akers can go home, we must live with Coppergate II'

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.