THE decision to halt a plan to develop a small section of land earmarked for the massive York Central project has been welcomed by council chiefs.

A planning inspector has dismissed an appeal by R Pulleyn to transform a garage site at Leeman Road into 24 flats.

An initial planning application by the company was refused by City of York Council in November 2004, on the grounds that the York Central site - on which it stands - should be developed as a whole, and not on a piecemeal basis.

The company appealed but, following an inquiry, the inspector concluded that "the proposed development would significantly prejudice implementation of the comprehensive redevelopment of the York Central Action Area envisaged in the planning brief for York Central".

The inspector added that: "It appears to me that very significant progress has been made in bringing forward the potential comprehensive development of a site that has extremely complex problems and which is clearly of importance to the future development of the city."

York Central, also known as the Teardrop site, spans some 70 acres and is the largest brownfield development of its kind in Europe.

It is hoped the site will cater for much of the city's future housing, office and its entertaiment needs.

Bill Woolley, the council's director of city strategy, said: "The council is committed to seeing the comprehensive redevelopment of York Central.

"The development of the area has the backing of major landowners and the regional development agency, Yorkshire Forward. Progress continues to be made, and we hope that a developer will be appointed next spring."

Coun Ann Reid, the council's planning chief, said: "I am really pleased that the planning inspector agreed with the council's view, that it is vital that the entire York Central site be developed as a whole.

"Delivering a viable and exciting development on the largest brownfield site in Europe is a huge opportunity for York, and I am really excited about the prospects York Central holds for our city."

No one at R Pulleyn was available to comment.

Updated: 10:45 Tuesday, May 16, 2006