PLANS for a business park on York’s outskirts have been blasted by Fulford councillors.

Deputy York council leader Keith Aspden and Fulford Parish Council chair Karin de Vries say the proposed development near the McArthur Glen Designer Outlet at Fulford would damage the green belt and worsen traffic and congestion on the A19 through Fulford.

They spoke out after The Press reported yesterday how City of York Council had not included the land as an employment site in the latest draft of its local plan.

Richard France, managing director of developers Oakgate Group, said the authority risked blocking the creation of up to 2,000 high value jobs.

Cllr Aspden said the site’s proximity to York, its prominence and the open nature of much of the site meant that it served important green belt purposes, including preserving the setting and special character of York and maintaining the separation of Fulford from Bishopthorpe and Naburn.

“Any additional development here would have generated more traffic and congestion on the A19 through Fulford, which has been designated as an air quality management area,” he said, urging residents to give him their views.

Karin de Vries said the parish council had objected to the site’s inclusion in the original plan, welcomed its subsequent deletion and did not feel there was any justification to reinstate it.