FOUR campaign groups claim there have been 'serious flaws' in the public engagement process over the York Central development.

York Cycle Campaign, Clean Air York,York Bus Forum and York Central Action have jointly written to City of York Council's executive to claim major concerns about the plans for new homes and offices behind York Railway Station had been ignored. “The consultation feels like a tick-box operation," said Kate Ravilious, of York Central Action, claiming the York Central Partnership could say it had 'listened' to what the public had said and cherry-pick the comments it liked, whilst ignoring some of the major concerns that had arisen. Caroline Lewis of Clean Air York raised concerns about the extra traffic the site would engender.

Partnership project manager Tamsin Hart-Jones said it had received 'extremely positive feedback' on its engagement and revised plans from organisations and community groups, and the ideas expressed had directly influenced elements of the masterplan and would feature in the planning application.