BOSSES at a top York museum hope to be flying high after announcing £1 million extension plans.

The ambitious proposals should confirm the Yorkshire Air Museum at Elvington as one of Britain's foremost aviation attractions, supporters believe.

The plans, submitted to City of York Council, include constructing a second aircraft hangar, erecting new display buildings, extending the museum boundaries, and establishing an ecological management area for rare plants and wildlife which live on the site.

The extension, expected to cost in the region of £1 million and which must be funded through grants and fundraising, could bring thousands more visitors to the former RAF wartime base.

The proposals have been backed by Elvington Parish Council. If approved, it is hoped the extension will be completed in two years.

Director Ian Reed said it was a very exciting time for everyone connected with the museum.

He added it would be able to attract a number of rare aircraft to Elvington, if the scheme is given the green light by planning councillors.

"If the plans are approved, it will help us maintain our position as one of the country's top independent air museums," he said.

"In the past three years the museum has expanded beyond all recognition. Current visitor numbers are about 50 per cent higher than they were last year and 100 per cent up on two years ago.

"A couple of years ago we had 25 aircraft. Now we have 44. It is an exciting time. Our success means we have been offered some very rare aircraft.

"We are appealing for sponsorship to help us raise the money for the extension. Now we are hoping the plans are approved."

Museum spokesman Ian Richardson added: "It is a project which will need a considerable amount of investment. This will have to be raised by ourselves and through grants.

"We want to get started on the work as soon as possible. Obtaining planning permission, should we achieve it, will be the final piece in the jigsaw."

Coun Janice Stark, chairwoman of Elvington Parish Council, said: "We always want to support the air museum, which has done a magnificent job.

"We are in communication with the museum quite regularly and are hoping the application will be passed."

Roger Armistead, of City of York Council's planning department, said: "The council has received the plans and are in the very early stages of looking at them.

"We expect that we will be requesting a traffic impact analysis looking at the road network around the site.

"We will also be asking for more details on the proposed ecological management area as the plans include an area of green belt land.

"We aim to have reached a decision within eight weeks of receipt of the application and the plans are currently available for inspection."

Updated: 09:16 Thursday, December 06, 2001