YORK Green Party has attacked the consumer spending calculations used to justify the Coppergate Riverside proposals.
Party spokesman Andy Chase told the Riverside public inquiry that retail consultants Hillier Parker may have over-calculated the capacity for retail floorspace in York city centre up to 2011.
"This may mean that the proposed Castle/Piccadilly development would create a vast overcapacity of floorspace for years to come, and would threaten the viability of certain other parts of the city centre by sucking available spending away from them."
Mr Chase also spoke out about the "adverse effect" of Land Securities' £60 million retail development, proposed for land between Clifford's Tower and Piccadilly.
He claimed the new buildings would be predominantly steel-framed and with no respect for the city centre's historic character.
"Clifford's Tower will become a traffic island for the large articulated delivery vehicles which will service the new shops," he said.
lThe inquiry resumes tomorrow at the Moat House Hotel.
Updated: 11:46 Monday, May 20, 2002
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