NINE out of ten residents living near the site of the proposed University of York campus extension are opposed to the plans, according to a new survey.

People living near the planned £500 million "Heslington East" development, which would double the size of the university's campus, were also concerned about increases in traffic, "student ghettos", noise and security.

The controversial 65-hectare campus extension on green belt land received outline planning approval at an eight-hour meeting last month, after councillors agreed the social and economic benefits of the expansion outweigh environmental concerns. The new campus could eventually create an extra 4,500 jobs for the city and increase the student population by one- third to 15,500.

Richard Frost, chairman of Heslington Parish Council, said the survey results justified the council's stance that a public inquiry should be called into the application.

"It is useful to have the questionnaire to show that the line we have been taking represents local residents," he said.

More than 550 householders out of 1,800 in Badger Hill and Heslington village responded to the questionnaire distributed by Heslington Parish Council and Heslington Village Trust in February.

Ninety per cent of respondents opposed the use of green belt land for university development, while 89 per cent were concerned about the effects of development on the area. Increases in traffic worried 90 per cent of people, while 96 per cent thought there should be limitations on conversions of private houses to student lets.

A rise in noise bothered 86 per cent and 85 per cent did not want to see commercial or industrial facilities on the new campus.

Coun Frost said they had excluded student residents from the survey, although students living in private housing were able to take part.

"Students are our parishioners, of course, but we took the decision that this is a long-term issue for long-term residents because their voice is not heard as well," he said.

"The student voice is heard through the Students' Union. We didn't feel it was appropriate to involve them."

Coun Ann Reid, the council's executive member for planning and transport, said the council had considered the questionnaire results when debating the application. "The application has to be referred to the Government office - presumably they those behind the questionnaire will be making the Government office aware of their results and will put them to an inspector in the event of an inquiry."

A university spokesman said the expansion would bring "significant benefits", with new jobs and "the input of student and staff volunteers into local schools and other community activities".

"The university does recognise there are concerns among some local residents, and we have worked with them to address them where we can. Significant changes have been made to the plans to reduce the impact of traffic and to protect the conservation area."

Updated: 08:28 Tuesday, April 05, 2005