The independent public inquiry into the Coppergate II proposals will resume in May, City of York Council revealed today.

Tony Bingham, the independent inspector appointed to examine the Coppergate II planning application, adjourned the hearing on Friday, February 8, after four weeks and an unexpected over-run in the timetable.

The inquiry was originally scheduled for three weeks but with the timetable over-running following intensive cross-examination it was adjourned and, following intensive preparations and negotiations by council staff, will resume on Tuesday, May 14.

As the planning authority responsible for the application the council is having to host the inquiry. However, due to the limited availability of ancillary rooms, key civic ceremonies in the Guildhall and trying to match people's diaries, the inquiry will have to held at two different venues once it has resumed.

The inquiry will be staged again at the Guildhall in the week beginning Tuesday, May 14 but will be moved the following week - for a week - to the Moat House Hotel on North Street. It will return to the Guildhall for the week beginning on Tuesday, May 28 and then break for almost a month before returning to the Guildhall for between two and three weeks from Tuesday, July 2.

Susan Heywood, the council's principal development control officer, said, "I don't think anyone could have anticipated the timetable going beyond four weeks originally but this is a controversial issue for many and Mr Bingham was understandably keen to ensure that he did things thoroughly and allow everyone to have their say.

"After the hearing was adjourned our staff went off to tackle the huge logistical challenge of sorting out suitable dates with all those involved and arranging alternative accommodation. We have all worked to ensure the inquiry can be resumed as soon as practically possible."

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 application, from Land Securities, is for a mixed retail, residential, office and leisure scheme on land encompassing the Castle Car Park and parts of Piccadilly. The inquiry will also look 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.

As the planning authority the council is having to foot the bill for the inquiry which was originally expected to cost around £110,000.

Ms Heywood said, "Obviously that cost will now rise due to the cost of providing a venue and associated facilities such as amplification systems and to the cost of maintaining legal representation. However, a significant part of the costs were spent on preparation of evidence for the inquiry which, of course, is a non-recurring cost."

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