THE INQUIRY into the controversial Coppergate II scheme has been re-arranged for early January.

The Planning Inspectorate has written to interested parties to inform them that the inquiry will open at 10am on Tuesday, January 15, in the Guildhall, York.

The inquiry will last six days and will be led by inspector Tony Bingham.

Philip Crowe, chairman of York Tomorrow, opposing the development by Land Securities, said he was pleased with the news. He has been assured that alternative plans will be considered.

He said: "We welcome the new date, it removes the uncertainty of when it will happen.

"We now hope that people who are still very concerned will be able to make their views known to the Planning Inspectorate.

"We have also welcomed the delay because we felt it has enabled parties to think through the schemes."

Richard Akers, spokesman for Land Securities, which has proposed the huge extension to the original Coppergate Centre, said: "We are pleased that a date for the inquiry has been set and look forward to presenting our evidence at that hearing."

A Government inspector was due to hear both objections and support for the controversial plans for a shopping centre in the shadow of Clifford's Tower at a hearing in York's Guildhall on September 25 - it was postponed because it clashed with Jewish celebrations for New Year.

The Coppergate II proposals were given planning permission by City of York Council last year. The York Tomorrow application was rejected at the same meeting.

But the Government called in the Coppergate decision after receiving letters of objection, and agreed to hear an appeal against the decision about York Tomorrow's application.

A spokesman for the City of York Council: "Obviously councillors on the planning committee deliberated at some length on this application after hearing both support and opposition to the proposal.

"Both planning officers and members of the council felt the Land Securities application was the right scheme for the area after several years of public consultation and discussion."

Updated: 10:57 Saturday, September 15, 2001