As a planning inquiry date is announced for the extension of Monks Cross business park, STEVE CARROLL takes a closer look at the controversial development.

In the last 20 years, it has found itself home to some of York's biggest developments.

The Monks Cross Shopping Centre, a renowned business park and, recently, a busy Park&Ride site, are just three of the huge projects which have been built in Huntington.

Now development chiefs want to extend the business park further, forming a new site comprising of up to 75,000sq ft of office space.

But there is a hitch. The land required for the extension lies in the green belt, and it has provoked a disagreement which will be heard at a public inquiry at York's Guildhall in September.

There are two sides. In one corner are the developers - The Monks Cross Partnership. Their need is clear. York is attracting attention as a premier business venue, so more space is needed to fulfil that need.

York Central is an exciting development, but it is far away in the future. And there is a demand that needs satisfying now.

In the other corner is Huntington Parish Council. Representing the "will of the community", the council is protesting against the scheme.

It has three grounds for complaint. Firstly, it believes the scheme is premature, that a new local plan must be adopted before major developments are moved forwards.

Secondly, the parish council believes development in the green belt, where the plan is sited, would be "completely inappropriate".

Lastly, chiefs believe the scheme is just part of a trend which, they believe, has seen Huntington overdeveloped in recent years.

The project was supported by the council's planning committee in July 2004. But, because of its scale and its intrusion into the green belt, it was referred to a public inquiry.

Both sides have now set their stalls out - and both are determined to press their case.

Clive Woolley, parish council chairman, says overdevelopment is a major issue in the village. "These new jobs that are coming through the Monks Cross South development and others are putting incredible pressure on the roads. There is the pollution aspect and this is really concerning local people.

"There's a lot of traffic and if these 3,000 civil service jobs come we will be treading into the unknown. We want the city to be vibrant but what we see is that most of it is heading Huntington's way.

"What we have to do is put our arguments at the appropriate time and if we lose, make sure we get all the necessary conditions and planning obligations we want. We are certainly carrying the opinions of the community with us."

On the other side, The Monks Cross Partnership believes it is vital the city can develop its business potential - and new premises are needed for that to happen.

Richard Peak, director of the Helmsley Group, which is one of the Monks Cross partners, said: "This development is very important. It is crucial. The council wants to see it happen.

"It would be one of the premier business sites in terms of the projected economic growth of the city. "Along with Monks Cross South, this has been one of the areas that we can develop for high quality business space until York Central comes on stream.

"We have been successful in attracting companies like CPP to the city. What we need to do to cater for the local businesses it something that we would be looking to attract as well."

The arguments will be settled at York's Guildhall in September. With a lot at stake, it seems bound to be a highly-charged four day inquiry.

Updated: 10:17 Monday, June 27, 2005