COUNCILLORS today joined calls for a public inquiry into the University of York's £500 million expansion plan.

Members of City of York Council's opposition Labour group said the ambitious Heslington East proposals - which have attracted widespread criticism from residents and green groups - should be "called in" by the Government.

They said they were concerned that the expansion would see students flooding the property market, taking scarce homes from families looking to buy a home.

The group's shadow executive, raising the prospect of Headingley-style student ghettos in Fulford, Heslington and Badger Hill, said the university should provide all accommodation for students on campus.

The Heslington East blueprint shows housing on campus for 70 per cent of new students. It was approved by City of York Council planners in March.

But because of the scale of it - the move will accommodate 3,300 more students, create 4,500 jobs and almost double the campus size - it looks almost certain to trigger a lengthy public inquiry.

Tracey Simpson-Laing, Labour's planning spokeswoman, said: "We support the university's bid to expand.

"But we want to ensure the housing implications of any expansion are thoroughly looked at and fully address-ed.

"We want to see all accommodation for new students provided by the university.

"This is required in York's draft local plan, but the university's current application doesn't deliver it."

The shortage of housing and inflated prices in York had to be taken into account, she said.

"We know of areas elsewhere where a massive increase in student rented-houses has led to a fall in the number of families - with local schools and shops closing. We certainly don't want that in York."

Ruling Liberal Democrats on the council stood by their decision to give Heslington East the green light as economic benefits outweighed environmental concerns.

Coun Ann Reid, planning executive member, said: "I'm happy with the decision we made, but if it goes to a public inquiry, so be it."

She said Labour calls for all students to live on campus were "unrealistic".

But she said the university had to ensure that any accommodation provided was attractive to live in and well priced.

A university spokesman said: "We welcome the Labour Group's support for the university's expansion and we are working with other stakeholders to address concerns over housing.

"In full accordance with the development brief, and the conditions set by the planning committee, the university will provide accommodation for all full-time students associated with the expansion on Heslington East.

"However, a proportion of the additional students associated with the university expansion will be either part-time and/or already living locally.

"It is our intention to provide accommodation for students who require it and the university has agreed to take all the steps it can to attract students to the campus.

However, students are adults and the university cannot compel them to live on campus.

"From the outset, the university has anticipated that the proposals for Heslington East would go to public inquiry."

A Government spokeswoman said planning experts had been given more time to look at inquiry submissions.

"It's still under consideration," she said.

The Evening Press understands a decision is due later this summer.

Updated: 11:51 Saturday, May 28, 2005