York shops site expansion hope

But council bosses are on a collision course with parish council chiefs who will fight against moves to create a "quality employment development" on 32 acres of land north of Monks Cross Drive.

The plans, which will be considered by councillors next Thursday, are the next stage in the ambitious Monks Cross Masterplan.

The land was excluded from the original plans because it is partly in the city's green belt. But that designation could be changed by an outline application which has been submitted to City of York Council.

The application, considered of "considerable importance", would address the "need for quality employment sites" for York businesses.

Officers wrote: "This is purely an outline application to establish the principle of development which does not have to have any detailed matters considered at this stage."

Huntington Parish Council has already indicated it is strongly against the application, questioning whether it is needed and noting that the "traffic impact of the development upon the road network will be devastating".

The authority fears gridlock at peak periods, which would be made even worse if York City relocated to Huntington Stadium.

A total of 35 residents have also objected citing fears of increased noise and pollution and an increased security risk.

But officers are minded to approve, concluding that "very special circumstances exist in the need to increase the supply of quality employment land to prevent a shortfall developing over the next five years".

Mick Britton, the council's area development control officer, said: "This is part of the Monks Cross Masterplan. It will lead to the rise of the site as a business centre.

"It is major development and jobs would certainly come about, although we can't put a figure on the numbers.

"This outline permission would last five years and we would expect to see some kind of development in the next decade."

Updated: 10:21 Thursday, April 17, 2003