GREEN space around a city helps it to breathe - but expansion isn't possible without eating into some of this valuable open land. Such is the dilemma that constantly faces York, a compact, vibrant city that will always need to grow if it is to remain a modern, as well as an historical, city.

The demands placed on York's green belt are constant and will not go away. This is why City of York Council earlier this year launched its biggest ever public consultation exercise on development of the green belt.

Today the debate took a fresh turn as a new £1 million proposal was put forward by Portasilo Ltd to build on green belt land at Elvington industrial estate. This plan is controversial as a previous application was withdrawn earlier this year after protests from nearby residents. Villagers objected to the original scheme, fearing it would add to the already heavy burden of traffic in the village.

The withdrawal of the earlier plan in April was greeted as good news in Elvington, though it came at a cost: jobs were lost at Portasilo's present headquarters in Huntington.

Here is a perfect example of the delicate balancing act that is required when making decisions on use of the green belt. The needs and concerns of local residents must always remain paramount in such a situation - but if York is to progress, to forge ahead as a modern city, then difficult decisions will sometimes have to be made. The city needs new jobs if it is to thrive and some of this employment will almost certainly be based on green belt land.

The latest bid from Portasilo offers a chance for fresh debate on the long and sensitive issue of how to develop York.

This latest planning twist comes on the day that the city launches a new logo and slogan: York - live the history. The people of York 'live the history' every day, but they also have to 'live the future'.

Updated: 11:12 Monday, September 03, 2001