HOUSEBUILDER Persimmon has revealed it is still fully committed to one of York’s biggest homes projects – but says building work may not finally start for at least another two years.

The 700-home Germany Beck development at Fulford has been on hold since the last obstacle was removed early last year, when a proposal to designate part of the site as a village green was thrown out by an inspector following a public inquiry.

Outline permission had already been granted following an earlier public inquiry.

The project, which has been fiercely opposed by many villagers, is set to bring relief for thousands of commuters who suffer chaos when the A19 is flooded by water from the River Ouse and the beck.

Drivers faced massive delays and diversions when the road was flooded last December.

The developers plan to raise the height of the main road as part of a scheme to construct a new junction and access road into the housing site.

The development would also help fund a badly needed sports hall at Fulford School.

Andrew Bowes, managing director of Persimmon Yorkshire, said today the company was fully committed to the scheme and was working on the preparation of detailed proposals.

He said the next stage would be the submission to City of York Council of a detailed, “reserved matters” planning application for part of the site, but the earliest this could happen would be towards the end of this year.

He also warned it would take 18 months to two years to get the infrastructure right, including raising the A19, before builders could start on site.

He said: “All this will need a detailed design. So given a fair wind, it would be a couple of years before we get in there to develop it.”

Mr Bowes stressed such a timescale assumed the market remained positive.

He appreciated the frustration some people were feeling about the delays, but the company wanted to ensure necessary due care and attention was given to ensure the development met high standards.