YORK racecourse's green belt location means the Environment Secretary, Stephen Byers, will make the final decision on a proposed new £20m County Stand.

The existing 1965 County Stand could be demolished at the end of this racing season and replaced by a new larger stand - opposite the winning post - if planning permission is granted.

The work would be completed by May 2003 and so would only disrupt one racing season.

Plans have been designed by The Goddard Wybor Practice, the same architects responsible for the award-winning Knavesmire stand, which was completed in 1995.

A planning application has been submitted to City of York Council and committee members are due to discuss it at a meeting on Thursday.

Officers have recommended the plans are approved, subject to the implementation of a green travel plan, which involves encouraging racecourse users and staff to use public transport.

Another condition is the payment of £5,000 towards highway safety improvements at the junction of Campleshon Road and Bishopthorpe Road.

But because of the racecourse's location - as a "major site" within green belt and a Conservation Area - the application must be referred to the Environment Secretary. The new stand would be on six floors, standing four metres taller than the Knavesmire stand.

It would include restaurants, terrace viewing, bars, sponsors suite, members' club, boxes and balconies and a roof terrace.

York Racecourse attracts 260,000 visitors a year for the 15 race days alone. The existing number of members - 1,800 - and other eligible users will remain the same after the development. Racecourse spokesman James Brennan said: "It is a very exciting week for us because, of course, this is Ebor festival week.

The Ebor meeting starts tomorrow.

Updated: 11:37 Monday, August 20, 2001