A BLUEPRINT for a new eco-development in York has been opened up for discussion so residents can make their views known.

The former British Sugar site on Boroughbridge Road has been marked out as an urban eco-settlement by the Leeds City Region, a group of local authorities, including City of York Council.

A draft document, outlining the proposed planning framework around which any development of the factory and the adjacent site which once housed Manor School, has gone out for public consultation.

Developers are expected to submit a planning application for the site next year, which will follow guidance set out in the document now under discussion and which will also be open for residents to have their say.

The council has secured some public funding and is looking at other channels to improve the sustainability of any future development, such as by including more eco-friendly and energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy generation on the site and more access to open space.

Leeds City Region received £600,000 from the Department of Energy and Climate Change’s Local Carbon Framework programme, about £100,000 will go to York’s British Sugar site.

The money will fund technical studies and accompanying literature to inform communities and businesses of investment opportunities of urban eco settlements.