PARISH councillors have raised concerns over traffic and the environmental impact of a proposed new business park at Strensall, York.

But they want to hold further discussions with the applicants before reaching their verdict on the multi-million pound scheme.

The Evening Press revealed on Monday how a high-tech business park could be built on the site of The Tannery in Sheriff Hutton Road.

An outline application had been submitted to City of York Council for the commercial centre, which the applicants said could ultimately create up to 400 jobs.

Consultants behind the scheme said it could help tackle traffic problems by providing work for people living in the area, many of whom would be within walking or cycling distance.

Strensall Parish Council's planning sub-committee met this week to discuss the plans, but has not yet made up its mind on whether to recommend York councillors to approve the scheme.

Chairman Philip Thorpe said: "The meeting was inconclusive. There's a lot to consider. We are going to reconvene on the site and must have a further planning meeting next Monday."

He said one concern was obviously about traffic. "That is something we are looking at carefully." He said the site was very close to a hump-backed bridge, which was a listed building. The road out of the village over the bridge and past The Tannery did not have a footpath, even though many walked along it to get to the local cemetery.

The parish was trying to establish a metalled footpath as far as the cemetery and would also like a footbridge over the river alongside the road bridge.

Another concern was the environmental impact of the business park in an area of wildlife alongside the River Foss, and close to the green belt boundary.

Parish councillors wanted a clean environment without additional noise.

He said the creation of extra employment would be welcome. He added that parish councillors might suggest some small convenience retail outlets on the business park, such as a hairdressing salon, for use by local people.

Updated: 11:42 Thursday, November 29, 2001