Opponents of Clifford’s Tower scheme set to hold public meeting

OPPONENTS OF controversial plans for a visitor centre at one of Yorkshire’s most famous landmarks are to hold a public meeting to discuss its future.

The event is being arranged by campaigners preparing for a High Court battle to block the scheme at Clifford’s Tower in York.

English Heritage’s plans for Clifford’s Tower were approved by York Council in October, but an opposition group has raised thousands of pounds to pay for a judicial review into the planning process.

A petition against the plan within days of the council’s decision was signed by 3,800 people. The proposals from English Heritage include a visitor centre built into the mound of the tower as well as new stairs and walkways.

A crowd-funding page has amassed more than £11,000 to fight the case. Independent York councillor Johnny Hayes, who launched the online fundraising campaign, said the meeting would be used to discuss the future of the site if campaigners manage to overturn the decision.

He said: “The objective is to broaden out the discussion rather than focusing on one issue and consider the other possibilities. We need to consider the whole picture rather than the part of the picture.”

York Central MP Rachel Maskell and the Lord Mayor of York, Coun Dave Taylor, are expected to address the meeting at the Eye of York opposite Clifford’s Tower at 1pm on March 10.

The council insists that the planning application was considered through “a fair and democratic process” by the council’s planning committee.

English Heritage said the plans will help conserve the building and allow visitors to view aspects that were previously inaccessible.