THE public inquiry into controversial plans for a massive expansion of the University of York has reopened with a strong attack on the scheme by the Green Party.

One of the party's city councillors, Mark Hill, accused the university of planning a "commercial land grab" in York's greenbelt, and of abusing its position as a leading university.

He told the inquiry in the Guildhall yesterday that the buildings proposed were "unsustainable", and claimed that the plans to manage traffic growth were "not credible".

He said: "This is basically a land grab, using the university's good reputation to get access to greenbelt land for a lucrative business park.

"The effect on the surrounding parts of York will be severe: extra congestion, reduced air quality and increased house prices."

Another campaigner, Dave Taylor, a former director of York's Inward Investment Board, also disputed the university's claim that the development deserved to be exempt from greenbelt rules.

"There would have to be very good reasons to build on greenbelt land, particularly to build workplaces in locations where there is inadequate public transport and an already strained road network with air quality problems," he said.

"There are alternative ways and locations to provide employment opportunities and those alternatives have not been properly explored."

He said the party's case also reflected deeply-held concerns of residents about the ever-increasing number of students at the university. "If the university expansion goes ahead but it fails to provide sufficient student accommodation, we will see more of the surrounding housing being converted to multiple-occupancy, and further deterioration of communities in the area," said Mr Taylor.

Coun Hill also claimed that the extra jobs created could bring 6,000 people to the area, raising house prices still further. "The responsible thing to do would be to have included enough accommodation in the plans for the intended staff as well as the students.

"The university is not a good neighbour to the city of York. It should not be allowed to build an extension into our back garden."

The inquiry began in the spring but was then adjourned until September. The resumption of the hearing was then postponed until yesterday after the inspector fell ill. The inquiry was expected to continue today.