A GOVERNMENT Minister has expressed concerns over plans to add a visitor centre to one of York’s most iconic buildings.

During a meeting with Rachael Maskell, MP for York Central, the Culture Minister, John Glen MP expressed his concerns about the proposals by English heritage to build a visitor centre into the motte.

The Minister agreed with Ms Maskell that a permanent site for the visitor’s centre could be incorporated into the wider development of the Castle Gateway project and the proposed development of the York Castle Museum.

The Minister said he would be writing to English Heritage to support an alternative location for the visitors centre.

Ms Maskell said: “The Minister recognised the importance of Clifford’s Tower and the need to find a resolution to the dispute over the location of the proposed visitors centre, and further recognised the opportunity that the progress of the Castle Gateway project presents.”

Ms Maksell described the Tower as a ‘cultural icon’.