A MASSIVE new office development in York could cause traffic nightmares for residents living nearby, a councillor warned today.

Huntington Parish Council chairman Peter Vaughan raised concerns about ambitious plans for Vangarde on land south of Monks Cross.

Proposals for a design guide for the £50 million development, primed to provide 450,000 sq ft of prestige office and laboratory space, went before City of York Council planners on Wednesday.

Coun Vaughan said residents were worried the creation of up to 3,000 jobs could bring traffic chaos to the city's already stretched road network.

Speaking after the meeting, he said he was disappointed at the lack of progress on improvements to York's busy outer ring road.

Plans for an underpass beneath the Strensall roundabout section appear to have been "lost without a trace", Coun Vaughan added.

He said it was "nave" to assume Park&Ride would accommodate the influx of new workers, and raised fears Huntington streets could effectively become a car park extension.

"If there are inadequate parking facilities, with the arrival of up to 3,000 new jobs and many people unable to use public transport, then the only alternative will be to use residential streets," said Coun Vaughan. He criticised the "complete lack of architectural character" at other out-of-town business parks in York and added: "I hope this is going to be a landmark site in terms of design and will set examples for other buildings."

Outline planning permission was granted in July.

Councillors have backed plans to press on with design guidelines to ensure a co-ordinated approach on parking, lighting, landscaping and building heights.

Coun Ann Reid, City of York Council's transport executive member, stressed the project was in its early stages. She said funding linked to the development would help combat traffic problems in the area.

The Highways Agency is working on Hopgrove roundabout improvements, and Coun Reid said she was "anxious" the design was high quality.

In separate developments, councillors agreed to defer plans to build offices and two apartments at a former business in Navigation Road, York. Some members said they were unhappy with buildings being close to the water.

Plans for a multi-million pound private surgery at the old Clifton Hospital laundry have been given the green light. New conditions include limits on operating hours.

Plans to convert a farm building into caravan storage and build an office/storage building and a 20-pitch touring caravan site at Rowes Cottage Farm, Stockton Lane, York, were withdrawn.

Updated: 09:54 Friday, October 29, 2004