CRUCIAL new access roads for the British Sugar site have been given the green light.

Councillors have now urged the company to use it as a starting point to re-develop the area, off Boroughbridge Road and bring more new homes to York.

Hopes for a major housing redevelopment, including more than 1,000 new homes, have been stuck in the planning process since late 2014.

Neil Jones, from Rapleys property and planning, who spoke on behalf of British Sugar, said: "British Sugar is absolutely committed to the regeneration of the British Sugar site.

"It's a very important and key site for the company.

"This application is of great importance and enable the two new access points into the site.

"They will be the first of three applications which I anticipate will be presented to you over the coming months."

The two access roads will  see routes put in place on Millfield Lane and Boroughbridge Road - as well as a link road across the old Manor School site.

Cllr Peter Dew told the meeting: "I hope this gives British Sugar the incentive to get on with developing it and they come to us with some plans for housing."