POISONED land in the centre of York is to have homes built on it, councillors have ruled.

City of York Council has accepted a £100,000 offer to lift restrictions banning residential building on the site, formerly a gas works at Heworth Green, known to be contaminated with cyanide, phenols, arsenic and cadmium.

The land has been used as a car park after being closed as a health hazard - with engineers promising it was safe as long as it remained undisturbed.

Owner Ashdale Investments (Properties) Ltd has made an offer to the council to remove covenants prohibiting homes on the land - clearing the way for the decontamination of the area at a cost of up to £4m.

The developers have claimed that decontamination can be achieved without any risk to local residents and the council has promised any construction will be closely monitored to ensure people and the environment are protected.

Councillor Rod Hills said after the meeting: "We have accepted the officer's recommendation on this matter and any future developments on the land will be subject to the usual planning regulations."