A RULING is expected this week on the future of controversial plans to redevelop York's Barbican Centre.

The fate of the multi-million pound scheme is hanging in the balance after a High Court judge reserved his judgement over the dispute which has delayed the project.

Mature student, Robert Collins is trying to block the scheme, claiming planning permissions granted by York City Council last year are not valid.

The 54-year-old had to represent himself in court after his legal team were forced to withdraw from the case due to difficulties with legal aid funding.

Ranged against him at the hearing were barristers for the city council and developers, Barbican Venture (York) Ltd.

The student and another York resident - pensioner Marjorie Anderson, of Regent Street, York - are challenging the city council's decision to grant planning permissions for the project in September last year.

They argue the council irrationally decided it did not need to commission detailed environmental impact studies before it granted the permissions for the re-development of the centre and a nearby car park.

Before having to withdraw from the case, barrister Gordon Nardell, for the objectors, told Mr Justice Elias that the information on which the council made its decision was "riddled with errors of principle from beginning to end."

However, lawyers for the council and Barbican Venture say the challenge is groundless, detailed consideration was given to environmental issues and the judicial review challenge should be dismissed.