ALMOST a third of homes at the massive new development in York's Hungate should be affordable - and everything possible should be done to discourage car ownership.

These are two of the key conclusions of a draft planning brief for the semi-derelict site off Stonebow, which has been drawn up by City of York Council officers.

The brief's publication comes almost two years after a planning application was submitted to the authority by prospective developers, Hungate (York) Regeneration Ltd, proposing 720 apartments and townhouses and 126,000 square feet of offices.

The application was deferred and will not be decided until a revised development brief has been adopted for the site.

Officers say the brief, which sets out an overall vision for the site, concludes that the area provides a great opportunity to provide a major new mixed use scheme, with high-quality offices, residential, retail, leisure and community uses.

"A site of this scale within the city centre, and with such good locational characteristics, is truly exceptional and its redevelopment demands a scheme of the highest quality to ensure the vitality and viability of the city," says a report by development officer Clare Bailey to next Thursday's planning committee.

She says there is the opportunity for a landmark office building, with office floorspace needed of at least 100,000 square feet. Developers would be expected to provide 30 per cent affordable units, of which 70 per cent should be rented.

The council said in 2002 that it wanted 25 per cent of the homes to be affordable, and that less than this would be unacceptable.

Some have criticised the size and scale of the proposed apartments at Hungate, but the report says the development is in line with Government guidance.

The report says that in addition to boosting public transport provision in Stonebow, the developers should research innovative solutions to reduce private car dependency. "The city council is keen to consider car-free or very low car ownership within this development, and the provision of car clubs/pool cars, community minibuses will be actively encouraged."

If the committee approves the brief, the authority will go out to a full public consultation lasting up to six weeks.

Phil Darcy, of Hungate (York) Regeneration, said: "We hope that this will mean that City of York Council can consider our outline planning application in the new year.

"We know from the overwhelming public support that we received that people are keen to see the regeneration of this part of the city."

Updated: 09:19 Friday, November 19, 2004