THE University of York is planning to build a new health centre and shopping arcade to serve students on its expanded Heslington East campus.

The university has applied for planning permission to build the centre beside the roundabout between Field Lane and Kimberley Lane, with a doctors’ surgery, restaurant, and a hot food takeaway.

The university’s registrar, David Duncan, said the much needed development would serve a growing and urgent need on the campus.

He said: “There is a very strong view among the students that these facilities are essential for the 2,000 students living on Heslington East. Currently, those students need to cross a busy dual carriageway with no crossing point in order to buy a loaf of bread.

“It is not possible to attract shops to a location in the heart of the Heslington East campus firstly because of the road barriers and parking restrictions, which were a planning condition for the development, and secondly because many of the students are away from campus for long periods of the year.

“The survey we conducted before submitting for planning permission also suggested that most residents would welcome the construction of these facilities.”

Dr Duncan said the health centre would replace the one run by Unity Health which is on the university’s main campus, and would serve residents as well as students.

The scheme has won the support of York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, who said: “Currently there is a clear lack of shops and amenities for students in this area.”

But objections have already been lodged by opponents of the scheme who say the proposals lie outside the university’s original masterplan.