AN aspirational scheme focusing on how Tang Hall could be developed in the future is to come before council chiefs.

A health centre, family centre and upgraded sports provision are among the "needs" of residents in the area, members of City of York Council's scrutiny committee will be told.

An option to replace the local primary school is also addressed in the report, which is part of the Tang Hall development project.

The scheme is not considered a development waiting to happen, but is the "first step to identifying the needs of Tang Hall and the possible longer-term solutions to those needs".

As the plan develops, the strategy will aim to involve the community in the process.

A council report written by Neil Hindhaugh, the council's head of property services, states: "It is important the local community is not seen as purely building local aspirations and expectations, but in redefining local community need, ensuring that the proposed council and non-council service provision meets that need."

Mr Hindhuagh added the process needed to be clear about the likelihood and the timescales for delivering a successful project.

Sites considered for any successful project included the existing school site, allotment sites, Melrosegate playing fields and other land that could be released following any relocations.

Coun Derek Smallwood, a Tang Hall ward councillor, said: "Anything that comes from this would have to be a massive advantage to the area.

"One of the big problems we have got is providing for young people who have nowhere to go and nowhere to play. All of these things which have been identified are needed, in both north and south Tang Hall, but there needs to be joined-up thinking about it.

"It's no good saying we need this and then doing something different elsewhere. It is all desperately needed and without it there is no social cohesion. Without that, things like ASBOs occur."

Tom Gibson, chair of Tang Hall Residents' Association, said: "Anything that improves Tang Hall is welcome, and we are cautiously optimistic about this report."

What residents in Tang Hall thought ...

Steven Walton and Carolyn Watson took to the streets of Tang Hall to find out what changes people living there would most like to see.

Becky Gill, 21, of Burlington Avenue, said: "I would like to see a youth club or somewhere that offers a wide variety of activities for young people to get involved in. "As a mother of a young child, I would also like to see additional childcare facilities or toddler groups. At the moment I have to travel out of the area for these."

Tom Edgington, 21, of Tang Hall Lane, said: "I would like to see improved bus routes running throughout the area. "Currently there is no service that runs directly to Monks Cross."

Margaret Grainger, 58, of Woolnough Avenue, said: "There should be more policing in this area. "The problem primarily is that of a continuously developing yob culture that is becoming embedded within the area, it can be very intimidating at night. Perhaps if the children had something to do, then this problem could be reduced."

Richard Rawdon, 85, of Flaxman Avenue, said: "I would like to see the area cleaned up a bit, it is a disgrace. There is rubbish on the street and all over people's gardens. The council should do something about it. I would like to see additional help for elderly residents who would like to keep their hedges trimmed and gardens tidy."

Updated: 08:34 Thursday, April 21, 2005