York College's £50 million new state-of-the-art campus has been approved by councillors.

The five-storey building was given the green light by City of York Council's planning committee following more than two-and-a-half hours of debate.

The 30,000-square metre project was designed by concept architects Bond Bryan, and includes extensive landscaping, a congestion-free transport system and use of opaque glass to limit light pollution and improve privacy for neighbours.

Coun Ann Reid, executive member for planning and transport, said she felt the scheme would be an "improvement" for many residents and disagreed with a suggestion by some that the campus should be "flipped" to put the car park area nearer to houses.

Councillors and planners have attached a number of conditions to the planning consent to ensure concerns over traffic, noise and landscaping are addressed.

The college first announced plans to replace the campus in October 2002.

After investigating possible locations, including land near the University of York, the college's Sim Balk Lane site was chosen in August.

The Tadcaster Road campus will cater for all 13,000 students and staff while the new centre is being built. The 23-acre brownfield site will eventually be sold for to build around 360 new homes, with the receipts going towards the cost of the new college.

The shortfall will be paid for the Learning & Skills Council and York College.

It is thought that the new development could save up to £1million in running costs and could be open by September 2007.

York College principal Mike Galloway said they were "delighted" to receive the support of the planning committee.

"We are confident that the £50 million scheme we have put forward will bring major benefits to learners across the region," he said.

Mr Galloway said the next step is to secure approval next month for their outline planning application for housing on the Tadcaster Road site.

"York desperately needs brownfield land for housing development. Releasing the Tadcaster Road site will help to meet the city's housing need and safeguard precious green belt land."

The planning committee also unanimously approved plans for an 80-bed residential care home on the former Tenneco site, in Manor Lane, Rawcliffe.

Southern Cross Health Care Ltd, which operates more than 150 care homes across the country, will build the £4.5 million three-storey home as part of a 277-home housing development at Manor Road, which was approved by councillors last year.

Updated: 10:32 Friday, June 25, 2004