ADVANCED design work on a new housing scheme in York could start in the New Year after a series of hurdles was overcome by the developers.

New Osbaldwick, the name of the planned 540-home development off Metcalfe Lane, Osbaldwick, is a project planned by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust on City of York Council-owned land.

It has been in the pipeline for several years and has met with opposition from local residents regarding the site's possible green belt status, access to the development and impact on the environment.

A consultation panel, made up of the two main project leaders and members of the local community, including parish council representatives and residents, has met several times, the last time in August.

They have discussed problems such as the overland power cables, which have to be re-routed or put underground, financial aspects of the scheme and potential problems.

Now the panel will be told that the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust is confident that the scheme will go ahead - with detailed plans being drawn up as soon as the New Year.

Roland Crooke, director of housing operations at the housing trust, said this was a very positive stage for the development.

He said: "We will be saying to the panel that broadly speaking, at officer level, we've reached agreement on the development with the city council. That's all subject to members' approval of the plan.

"The planning application will take six or eight months from the point that we get the final go-ahead from York City Council members and our trustees."

Mr Crooke continued: "I think we are probably closer now than we have ever been.

"There are still a couple of things left to resolve, but in terms of a partnership between ourselves and the City, at least at officer level, we think it's just about there."

But Ryedale MP John Greenway, whose constituency includes the planned site, said he was waiting to see what the detailed plans included, and how the local community greeted them.

He said: "People have made clear all along that they understand the force of argument that some of the land should be developed.

"The key question is whether what is proposed is acceptable to the local community.

"Local people will want to know whether concerns expressed in the past have been addressed in the revised plan."

According to the agenda, the council has reached agreement with Northern Electric that the pylon cables can be moved off and under the site as intended.

A basis for land transfer and development will be put before the Joseph Rowntree trustees and council members with a decision expected by January 2002. If all goes to plan, construction could commence in March 2003.

Updated: 12:39 Monday, December 03, 2001