Proposals for York's fourth park-and-ride site at the Naburn Designer Outlet have come closer to reality, after city planners gave their backing to the scheme.

Environment Secretary John Prescott must now decide whether he wishes to "call in" the plan, because it is in the Green Belt and City of York Council is a party to the deal.

But if he chooses not to intervene council officers will have the authority to approve use of part of the outlet's car park at its south-west corner to form the park and ride service.

The council's planning committee backed the scheme, with services operating between 6am and 9pm each day, and an extension to 11pm on 21 days a year.

Council officers estimated the new park-and-ride could lead to a ten per cent decrease in peak traffic flows into York on the A19.

Some councillors were concerned that the toilets at the centre would not be available after 6pm, and suggested the authority could provide a facility at the site.

But Roy Templeman, director of environment and development services, warned that Designer Outlet operators BAA McArthurGlen would probably want to see if the scheme was a success before allowing further alterations. He said: "It's on a trial basis that we are operating this park-and-ride, with the minimum of engineering works."

Paul Hepworth, of the Cyclists' Touring Club, told the Evening Press he wanted some amendments to the plan, but thought it was a golden opportunity to get people using the site as a "cycle and ride" facility.

The committee also approved amended plans for a £23 million retail park on its former depot site at Foss Islands Road, York.

Coun Ann Reid said the change swapping positions between a proposed 4,000 square foot restaurant and a car park so the restaurant would be in the site's south-eastern corner would be an improvement, partly because it would help to ensure the restaurant would not become a "drive-in".

Committee chairman Coun Dave Merrett agreed, though he wanted officers to ensure there was sufficiently deep screening at the roadside.

But objector Geoff Beacon told the committee the scheme would increase pollution by drawing more cars into the city centre and creating an "all-day rush hour".