SIX-STOREY buildings could be added to York's skyline under new plans revealed today for the revolutionary York Central development.

A York conservation group today reacted with horror to the proposals, saying they would have a "huge adverse" effect on the surrounding area.

The latest draft planning brief for the massive development, which would see 85 acres of land behind York Station transformed into a new city centre village, goes before council planning committee for the first time next week.

It includes proposals to erect the six-storey buildings - which, if built, would be among the highest in York.

It also proposes building 3,000 new homes on the site, demolishing the Queen Street road bridge, and replacing it with a new access bridge into the site.

Developers are also to be encouraged to look at ways of reducing the one car parking space per dwelling standard, using the planned hi-tech public transport links as an incentive.

The sensitive location of the central site has led a leading York conservation campaigner to brand the six-storey proposals "appalling."

As well as being close to the station, a Grade II* listed building, the central site is near York's ancient city walls.

Richard Brown, property manager at York Conservation Trust, said: "I can barely believe the proposal has even been made.

"If approved, six-storey buildings would have a huge adverse effect on the immediate and surrounding area.

"Imagine building a six-storey building next to the Mansion House, it would detract totally from the appearance of it."

But Sue Houghton, a City of York Council York Central project officer, stressed the plans were at an early stage and nothing had been decided yet.

She said: "The planning brief for the site has been amended in view of comments received as a result of extensive public consultation.

"Heights of buildings will be assessed against framework based on an urban design analysis. The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE) and English Heritage will be consulted."

But there could be good news for another York group to raise concerns about the proposals - staff and members of the York Railway Institute Club.

The club, which has facilities ranging from table tennis to shooting, is concerned the development's proposed boundaries cut right through YRI headquarters, in Queen Street.

At a well-attended open planning forum earlier this year, YRI chairman Mike Newsome called for the boundaries to be redrawn - something the brief confirms will be considered.

The proposals are set to go before the council's planning committee on Thursday, April 24, from 4.30pm.

Updated: 17:09 Tuesday, April 15, 2003