A PUBLIC inquiry into housing schemes at Derwenthorpe and Germany Beck is likely to be held in June next year, councillors were told.

Coun Ann Reid, City of York Council's planning chief, told a full authority meeting that although a start date had not been confirmed for the hearing on the 720-home scheme at Fulford, and 540-home model village in Osbaldwick, the current proposal was for both to be considered at a joint inquiry - with June the likeliest date.

Answering a question posed by Green councillor Andy D'Agorne, Coun Reid said it was thought the inquiry would take six weeks - 24 days with an inspector sitting for four days each week.

The Evening Press reported in September how the two schemes had been called in by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott - news which was greeted with joy by campaigners.

Coun Reid said the council was still waiting for a possible date for a third inquiry into the University of York's expansion plans at Heslington East.

Coun Reid said: "This is only the planning inspectorates' estimate and is by no means certain (remember that the inspectorate estimated the Coppergate inquiry would take seven days when it eventually sat for 35 days).

"We expect to have a more robust estimate after a pre-inquiry meeting of main parties with the planning inspector but there is not yet a date for this meeting."

Coun Reid said it was inevitable that two inquiries, on "major developments", would cost a substantial sum - but there would be attempts for this to be limited by officers. The inquiry into Coppergate II in 2002 cost about £260,000.

Coun Reid said: "The cost will be dependent on a number of factors that have yet to be determined, for example the duration of the inquiries, the level and quality of legal support, ability for established staff to support both inquiries, accommodation and costs to provide administrative, clerical and organisational support for the planning inspector."

Persimmon Homes is behind the Germany Beck scheme, while the Joseph Rowntree Foundation wants to construct Derwenthorpe.

Updated: 10:12 Thursday, November 17, 2005