POTENTIALLY-lethal asbestos could lie on the site of York's biggest development for decades.

But environment chiefs at City of York Council say plans are already in place to tackle any dangerous substances, if they are found at the York Central site.

Roy Templeman, director of environment and development services, said it would come as "no surprise" to the authority if asbestos was present on the former rail industry land.

Five years ago, the asbestos legacy bequeathed at the former carriageworks - close to the York Central site - was buried under 100,000 tonnes of soil.

Mr Templeman said decontamination plans for the York Central land had been considered from the very beginning of the project - four years ago.

He said: "We could expect on a site that, which was actively a rail site for many years, there could be decontamination issues.

"There would be no surprises to us (if asbestos was found on the site). Part of the brief we have considered is a full decontamination survey.

"We will go through the proper process and, when looking at financing the scheme, we have considered the ways it can be brought together - including decontamination and archaeological factors."

The 80-acre "Teardrop" site has been identified by the council as "the largest single development site we're likely to see in York in our lifetime".

The plans, which could include residential, business developments as well as a light rail system, are currently being considered by York council chiefs.

Mr Templeman added: "We have had two years of intensive study work and our site costings allow for issues with decontamination."

Environmental campaigner Geoff Beacon, who has highlighted the risk of contaminates on the site, said: "I am glad to hear that the asbestos issue is being dealt with competently.

"The real problem, from an environmental point of view, is maximising the value of the site given the limitation on road network capacity.

"York would clearly benefit from the value generated by the site and its surroundings if it used a minor version of London-style congestion charging."

Updated: 10:48 Tuesday, March 11, 2003