A VILLAGE could face gridlock under the massive University of York expansion plans, concerned residents have said.

People living in Heslington have called for careful handling of traffic issues as the development brief for the university's campus three plans is prepared.

The draft development brief and plans went on display at Heslington Parish Church yesterday.

Mary Frost, of Hall Park, said Heslington already suffered from congestion problems during rush hour.

She said: "Heslington can become extremely busy at certain times of the day. If the development goes ahead, then traffic, pedestrians and vehicles, has to be diverted away from the village itself.

"There is also a concern the field in front of the (parish) church could be used a short cut between campuses. The field is known as the village green and is very important to the village."

Another lifelong Heslington resident, who asked not to be named, called for the chicane system in Field Lane and Heslington Lane to be removed if "campus three" goes ahead.

He said: "The chicanes only cause congestion, they don't solve it. They need to come out and the other access has to be got right, or the village will grind to a halt.

"It is bad enough now at some times of the day."

Villager Pat Beckwith said she was opposed to the development outright.

"Universities in other places have their campuses spread out across the city, why can't they do that here?," she said.

City of York Council's principal development officer Martin Grainger stressed the university plans were still at a very early stage.

He encouraged residents to take part in the consultation process, which runs until the end of November.

Mr Grainger added: "If people comment on the development brief it does not necessarily mean they support the development of the site in principle.

"If they feel they do not support it in principle but do not comment, then that is a lost opportunity."

Heslington villagers have put together a village design statement that was yesterday approved by the council's planning committee for use as a tool in the campus planning process.

Planning committee chairman Coun Richard Watson thanked residents for producing the detailed document, which includes a recommendation to consider "less visually intrusive and safer alternatives to the current traffic calming chicanes."

The draft development brief can be viewed at various venues in the Heslington area or at www.york.gov.uk/planning.

Comments can be emailed to devandregen@york.gov.uk

Updated: 10:52 Friday, October 24, 2003