A NORTH Yorkshire business leader today blasted as short-sighted moves to throw out plans to transform Elvington Airfield.

Len Cruddas, chief executive of North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said a recommendation to turn down Elvington Park Ltd's plans to build new hangars on the airfield would be a mistake.

Councillors will consider the proposal to build six hangars on the site at a meeting of City of York Council's planning committee on September 25.

The largest of the hangars would be more than 200 metres long and officers have advised councillors to turn the moves down, citing the development as being wrong for the green belt and causing "unacceptable problems".

Residents and parish councillors at Elvington are also against the application, which would increase the number of daily flights to the airfield.

But the officers who wrote the council report also conceded that the proposals could result in "job creation and wider economic benefits".

Mr Cruddas said it was pointless to have an airfield and not use it. "I think this is short-sighted. We have an airport there, it is not significant, but would provide access for a taxi service from the airport to York and North Yorkshire businesses," he said.

"If we have an airport, let's use the thing. I am not suggesting that we should necessarily be looking at another Manchester or Leeds/Bradford, I am not suggesting anything like that.

"But we should be making the most of what we have got, and I welcome any moves to bring more skilled and well-paid jobs to the region."

Council chiefs have also revealed they are leading a wider enforcement-led investigation into other activities at Elvington Airfield, following complaints from local residents.

Updated: 11:19 Thursday, September 18, 2003