Campaigners were today celebrating the news that a public inquiry will be held into controversial plans to transform part of the centre of York.

Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott has decided the £60 million Coppergate Riverside proposals for the area around Clifford's Tower are so important he is going "call in" the scheme.

His decision was greeted as "marvellous news" by one opponent of the proposals for new retail, restaurant, residential, office, leisure and parking developments.

Another thanked the citizens of York, saying their opposition led to Mr Prescott's decision.

The calling-in procedure, only used when a scheme is considered to be of more than local importance, is likely to mean that the final decision on Coppergate Riverside - which has already been approved by City of York Council - could be delayed by many months.

The Government Office for Yorkshire and the Humber said Mr Prescott "considers that the proposals may conflict with national policies on important matters; could have significant effects beyond their immediate locality; give rise to significant regional controversy; and raise significant architectural and urban design issues".

No date has yet been set for the inquiry, which will be held by an independent inspector.

Mr Prescott has said he wishes to be informed on a number of issues, including whether the design of the new buildings is of sufficiently high quality alongside historic buildings in a Conservation Area, and the visual impact of the development on the character of York city centre.

Philip Crowe, of the York Tomorrow group, which proposed an alternative parkland scheme for the area, said: "We feel this is the correct decision, so that all the issues which are relevant to this problem can be aired in public, and a totally independent view arrived at which is not related to anything which the local authority may put forward.

"It will be an independent inquiry, held by an independent inspector. This is what we have wanted from the outset, so that everything can be presented properly and evaluated objectively."

Mr Crowe thanked local people who supported the campaign against Coppergate Riverside.

He also thanked the Evening Press for giving publicity to all the issues involved in the debate.

Stuart Wilson, of the Castle Area Campaign Group, said: "That's marvellous news.

"We can make a more structured, detailed suggestion now, and we can do it together with the other groups, such as York Tomorrow."

Gordon Campbell-Thomas, of the same group, said the decision was a vindication of their campaign, adding that a planned protest at the official opening of York's Millennium Bridge had now been called off.

No one was available to comment at developers Land Securities.

A spokesman for City of York Council said Mr Prescott would be asking an inspector to examine issues around the quality of the architectural and design detail in relation to the scheme.

He had not indicated that he was against the principle of the development moving forward, but wanted to have the design issues further examined at a public inquiry.

Coun Dave Merrett, the council's executive member for planning, transport and the environment, said: "It is important to air these issues and get a decision on this scheme once and for all."

Updated: 15:48 Wednesday, April 04, 2001