A PUBLIC debate to discuss the controversial Arc Light scheme was abandoned - after too many residents showed up to voice their objections.

More than 200 Clifton residents crammed into the main council chamber at the Guildhall for the agenda item, but at least another 100 were unable to squeeze in.

A huge queue snaked out of the meeting room, down the stairs and out of the front of the building as people tried to get in to air their views.

Clifton councillor Ken King said he had never seen such a large protest at a council meeting in 23 years.

Community leaders voted for the debate to go ahead following discussions with those stuck outside, but members of City of York Council's resources committee decided that it would have been undemocratic to do so.

The discussion would have centred on Arc Light's proposals to transform the former Shipton Street School into a 34-bed rehabilitation centre.

Hundreds of residents from the area are fiercely opposed to the scheme being sited there, claiming it would increase crime and alcohol and drug abuse.

Some residents, who arrived at the meeting with protest banners, jeered and shouted at committee chairman Coun David Scott as he broke the news that the debate was being put off until they could find a bigger venue.

Resident Doug Scott shouted: "Your job is to listen to the public."

Michael Flanagan, 74, of Ratcliffe Street, said: "It's a load of rubbish. There have been delaying tactics from start to finish."

Coun Quentin Macdonald, executive member for resources, who agreed to meet community leaders face-to-face, was also heckled in the council chamber. "If you wish to insult me feel free, but it won't get anything done," he told the protesters.

Dave Nicholson, chairman of the joint committee of Clifton ward residents set up to oppose the Arc Light relocation, told councillors that they wanted the wider issues of democracy and secrecy tackled at the re-organised meeting.

"We are very disappointed that the meeting wasn't allowed to go ahead, but it was stopped for the right reasons," he said.

"We have to remember that at the core of this is local democracy and when people are given the chance to be consulted they turn up and want to take part."

Coun Macdonald told the Evening Press: "We knew a lot of people would be coming and, while we all want to get on with it, this wouldn't be democracy. Everyone is genuinely disappointed that it is not happening."

"It demonstrates the feeling of the people of Clifton and shows how much the council has underestimated that," Coun King said.

"With this number of protesters they have to sit up and listen."

Barney Skrentny, of the Grovesnor Terrace Residents'Association, said: "It is a great victory for the residents of Clifton."

Updated: 10:14 Tuesday, September 20, 2005