DATES have been set for public inquiries into three major York planning schemes - and representatives for two of them have only until tomorrow to submit their case.

The schemes are at Germany Beck, in Fulford, where housebuilder Persimmon wants to build 720 homes; at Osbaldwick, where the Joseph Rowntree Foundation has proposed a 540-home model village called Derwenthorpe; and the University of York's planned 65-hectare expansion.

They were all called in for public inquiry by the Government in September.

The news was greeted with joy by campaigners who had fought long and hard for a public inquiry.

Now the final decision on whether the three developments go ahead rests with Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott.

The deadline for "statements of case" - submissions either supporting or objecting to a development - for Germany Beck and Derwenthorpe, is tomorrow.

These statements are made by developers and local authorities before an inquiry is held. Other organisations such as parish councils and English Heritage can also make formal statements, if they are to be officially represented at a hearing.

Those who want to lodge their views, but will not be formally represented, can write to the Government up to four weeks before an inquiry.

A spokeswoman for the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister confirmed that the inquiry into Germany Beck and Derwenthorpe will be held jointly. It will start on June 13 this year, and is expected to last six weeks.

She explained that a decision had been made for both inquiries to be held together because both dealt with similar issues.

The inquiry into York University's proposals will begin two months earlier, on April 25. It is expected to take four weeks.

The deadline for submitting formal statements for that inquiry was last November.

All the hearings are likely to take place at York's Guildhall.

Coun Malcolm Kettlestring, vice-chairman of Osbaldwick Parish Council, which has fiercely objected to the Derwenthorpe scheme, said the council had already submitted its statement and would be represented at the inquiry by a barrister.

"This is what we've been aiming for over the last five or six years - now we've got it, we've got to make the best of it," he said. "At least we're going to get someone who's independent to listen to our arguments. Even if it goes ahead, we'll be more happy about it."

Updated: 09:32 Thursday, January 05, 2006