Village leaders are on a collision course with developers who want to transform Elvington Airfield.

Members of Elvington Parish Council have said they are opposed to all activities at the site which are "unreasonably detrimental" to their community.

Such activities would include flying training, aircraft maintenance, freight transfer, helicopter use, Formula One testing and visiting markets.

They also do not want to see more than two events held at the site per month or any further building to take place on the green belt.

But councillors have said they would back some limited light aircraft use if it supported industry in the city.

Elvington Park Ltd, based in Pocklington, wants to provide an air taxi service for business people to fly in from domestic and foreign airports. The company has applied to build nine hangars, but planners asked it to come back with more information about the impact of its proposals.

Elvington parish councillors have now called a public meeting on Wednesday to discuss the controversial plans.

Chairman Eric Ingeldew said the parish statement was a "starting point for discussion".

He said: "We feel that Elvington Airfield is an important part of the southern region of York and that all the parish councils and people should have their say about what it is used for.

"We don't want to see the airfield used for big commercial aircraft and we think we ought to have a policy of what will be done in the future."

Chris Hudson, financial secretary for Elvington Park Ltd, was not available to comment.

Plans submitted to City of York Council include the building of a row of hangars and an amenities block with a separate hangar for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

It could see ten operators coming to the airfield including Leeds Flying School, Multi Flight and a number of private aircraft owners. The previous application received heavy criticism and objections from nine residents and parish councils in Heslington, Elvington, Wheldrake and Dunnington.

The airfield consultation meeting will take place at Elvington village hall on Wednesday, at 7.30pm.

Updated: 08:27 Monday, December 01, 2003