MORE than 250 people gave their views on one of the biggest housing schemes in York’s history at two exhibitions staged to outline the plans for the site.

Associated British Foods (ABF) will submit full proposals for about 1,000 homes on the site of the city’s former British Sugar factory off Boroughbridge Road shortly, with the scheme also potentially including a supermarket, a school and office space.

Draft options for the development went on show at two public exhibitions before Christmas and Robert Clarke, head of town planning for ABF’s consultants Rapleys, said: “We spoke with local residents regarding all aspects of the proposed development options, including the possible location of more than 12 hectares of public open space which will be provided on site, transport matters and the needs of the local community.

“The development will bring back into beneficial use a cleared brownfield site which can make a significant contribution towards family housing which is required in the city, and we were pleased many attendees were supportive of this.”

Mr Clarke said feedback would be taken into account in preparing the planning application.

City of York Council leader James Alexander said: “We are looking forward to working with the landowners ABF throughout this process and are pleased to see so many residents engaging with this development.”