CONTROVERSIAL plans to sell off Union Terrace coach and car park were the subject of a packed meeting in York on Thursday evening.

About 60 business owners met in Bennett’s tea room in High Petergate to voice their concerns over City of York Council plans to sell the land to York St John University.

Matthew Greenwood, owner of Exploring York, and chair of the meeting, said the campaign group opposed to the scheme had surveyed business in the area on the possible impact on trade of the loss of the car park.

He said the findings revealed businesses expected job losses of about 100 and an average 45 per cent drop in turnover.

“We are predicting an estimated loss in turnover of excess of £3million,” he said.

Earlier this week the controversy lead the Council’s ruling Labour group to postpone its decision on the sale of the car park.