York | Archive | 2001 | May | 15
From the Evening Press, first published Tuesday 15th May 2001.
The nation's leading Jews have added their support to protests against the Coppergate II scheme, angry at the effect on an important heritage site.
The Jewish Board of Deputies has today lodged a formal objection to the plans for a building development close to Clifford's Tower in York.
Jews believe Clifford's Tower is the most important heritage site in the United Kingdom relating to the period of Jewish settlement between 1066 and 1290.
It was the site of the massacre of the York Jewish Community in March 1190, during a series of riots following the coronation of King Richard I.
The massacre is commemorated by a plaque at the base of the monument.
"Over the past months the Board, through its Heritage Working Group, has been monitoring closely the progress of a planning application that will affect the area around Clifford's Tower in York," said a spokesman.
"The Board received a number of complaints about the proposed development from both the locality and other parts of the United Kingdom, as well as from overseas.
"The Government has set up a public inquiry into the development, and after careful review the Board has objected to the revised plans submitted to the York planning authority last autumn."
Despite the dwindling Jewish population in York, which is now believed to number fewer than 20 families, many have been angered at plans to develop so close to the Tower.
Michael Harris, responsible for heritage on the Board, has visited the city to examine the site and talk to Jews in the city.
"We have taken this action because we have been approached both by Jews in the city and Jewish historians in California.
"Our role is to take appropriate action on behalf of Jewish people, which is what we are doing here."
Neville Nagler, director general of the Board, added: "Clifford's Tower is a most significant historical location for Anglo-Jewry.
"The current plans would, we believe, have a deleterious effect on the area. They would totally obscure the view of the Tower from the eastern aspect. We look forward to expressing our views further at the public inquiry."
Updated: 15:37 Tuesday, May 15, 2001
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