PLACING a new homeless centre in the heart of historic York could threaten the city's tourist attractions and walks, protesters claimed today.

Launching their campaign against City of York Council, residents in Marygate say putting the Arc Light centre on the car park their was not "appropriate".

Concerned people will be holding a public meeting for residents to air their views at the Minster Inn, in Marygate, from 8pm on Monday.

Anne Guerri, who has organised the meeting, said for reasons of "personal safety and quality of life" it was not appropriate for Arc Light's new home to be based on the car park.

Councillors will decide on May 2 on the preferred site for the homeless charity's new centre.

The authority is considering four short-listed sites: Marygate, Nunnery Lane and Union Terrace car parks, as well as the former Reynard's Garage, in Piccadilly.

Protests have already begun in the Union Terrace and Nunnery Lane areas. But Arc Light supporters have challenged protesters to back up their claims.

Hitting back at opponents, the charity's founder, the Rev Paul Wordsworth, said he would challenge "lies which are based on prejudice".

In an article in last week's Evening Press, Mr Wordsworth said it was homeless people who were among the most vulnerable in society and branded leaflets from protesters as "propaganda".

In a leaflet urging people to sign a petition at the Minster Inn, and contact local councillors, protesters claims the centre would be a "threat to local residents' safety and quality of life".

"We need to take action now to voice our objections before it is too late," it states. The leaflet states that the Reynard's Garage would be the Arc Light centre's ideal new home.

The centre's current accommodation in Leeman Road is inadequate. The charity must find a new home in the near future or face losing more than £1 million in Government grants.

Ms Guerri said: "I feel that facilities should be provided for homeless drug users, alcoholics and people with mental health problems in York but do not feel that it is appropriate for reasons of personal safety and quality of life for the Arc Light centre to be built in a residential area.

"The siting of the centre on Marygate car park will threaten the tourist locations of the Museum Gardens, Yorkshire Museum and riverside walks."

Updated: 08:50 Saturday, April 01, 2006