PLANS to put up a giant TV screen in York city centre - possibly on the site of the "splash palace" - have met with a cautious reaction from tourism and conservation chiefs.

The Press revealed yesterday how City of York Council was considering making a space available for a BBC Big Screen in York, with the doomed public toilet block in Parliament Street one of four or five possible locations.

Coun Christian Vassie, York's executive member for leisure and heritage, said the Government wanted 30 to 40 cities and towns to have the screens by the time of the 2012 Olympics. The council had been approached by representatives of the BBC to see whether it wished to have one.

He said there had already been a series of meetings and he hoped planning applications could be submitted to planners within three months.

The 25-metre square screen could be used to show major broadcast events, news, sport, music and documentaries, but also major services from York Minster.

The Parliament Street toilets are set to be demolished next year, after new conveniences have been provided near the market in Silver Street.

Peter Brown, company secretary of the conservation watchdog York Civic Trust, said today he could not see how that site could be a real contender, because there would not be room in Parliament Street for the thousands of people who might want to watch.

But he did not rule out the idea of such a screen in York.

"It's all about location, location, location," he said, suggesting that the "tear drop" redevelopment site behind the railway station might be the ideal location for a screen in York.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said of the splash palace site: "This is one of the most significant sites in the city, so it's important to consider several options and research best practice in some key European cities.

"York's very different to Leeds or Hull, so what works there might not necessarily work here.

"A decision about use of the space is most important at the moment and this will help determine whether or not a permanent fixture is needed. What we do want to see is an inspirational use of the area which will benefit both residents and visitors."