AMBITIOUS plans to extend Yorkshire Air Museum look likely to be referred to the Government for a final decision to be made.

Officers have recommended that a £1 million project to develop the Elvington facility be approved.

But they have confirmed that the application must be referred to the Secretary of State - because it does not conform to Green Belt rules.

Museum bosses propose to construct a new hangar, next to the existing facility.

It would be used to display museum artefacts and would be linked to the older hangar by a cinema and seminar room.

The extension could bring thousands more visitors to the former RAF wartime base.

It is anticipated that many rare aircraft could be exhibited at Elvington, if the scheme is finally given the green light.

A council report, drawn up by officers for the meeting, to be held on Thursday, says the construction of new buildings in the Green Belt is inappropriate unless for specific purposes, "none of which apply to this proposal".

But the report notes the museum's long-term commitment to the area and argues that the new construction would be built "on the footprint of a previously demolished hangar".

The report therefore concludes that the project would be an appropriate use of the rural area.

Museum chiefs have also pledged to sign an agreement with the council, allowing the remainder of the site to be used as a nature reserve.

Museum director Ian Reed said: "We have worked closely with the council on this for a number of years.

"It has been a long-term development plan and will, if approved, underline the position of the museum as the largest independent air museum in the country."

Elvington parish council chairwoman Janice Stark said: "Without looking at the documents, I can't really comment to any degree."

Updated: 08:56 Monday, March 25, 2002