The independent public inquiry into proposals for the Coppergate II development is expected to come to an end next week with the resumption of the hearing this Thursday (August 1).

Government inspector Tony Bingham will resume his inquiry at the National Centre for Early Music, off Walmgate, on Thursday and Friday. The inquiry will open at 10am on both days. City of York Council, which is hosting the event as the city's planning authority, is advising anyone wishing to attend the public hearing that they should access the NCEM via the main entrance off Walmgate (Robinson Court).

The inquiry will then move back to the Guildhall next week between Tuesday, August 6 and Friday, August 9 - again opening at 10am each day. There is no session next Monday.

The sessions at the Guildhall will be held in the main hall and not in Committee Room 2 as previously advised.

Mr Bingham was appointed by the Government to lead the inquiry into the proposals which were backed by the council's planning committee in November 2000.

The Coppergate II site includes land on both sides of the River Foss at Piccadilly and Castle Car Park and the application, from Land Securities, is for a mixed retail, residential, office and leisure scheme.

The inquiry is also looking at an appeal by the York Tomorrow group whose alternative application to turn the Castle Car Park into a public park was turned down at the same meeting in 2000.

The associated Conservation Area Consent application to demolish various unlisted buildings - including Ryedale House - to enable the mixed use development to take place, is also being considered at the inquiry.

Hilary Shepherd, programme officer for the inquiry, said, "These are scheduled to be the last sessions. After next week's hearings Mr Bingham will write his report and present his recommendations to the secretary of state for the environment."

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