RESIDENTS of a York suburb are to stage a final attempt to block plans proposing a development of 285 dwellings near their homes.

City of York Council planning officers are to recommend that councillors approve a scheme from developers Barratt and Persimmon to build flats, and semi-detached and terrace houses on the former Tenneco site, off Manor Lane, Rawcliffe. The planning committee will meet at St Mark's Church Hall, Rawcliffe, on Thursday at 4.30pm, when residents and members of Rawcliffe Parish Council hope to dissuade councillors from backing the development.

The plans include a health centre, a facility for young people, a 1.8 metre (6ft) high timber fence, and locked alleyways to rear gardens, with residents holding keys.

Richard Moore, chairman of Rawcliffe Parish Council, believes the developers have not taken residents' feelings into account as much as they should.

He said: "We hope to get the planning committee to refuse the application, because the developers are working to the outline application only and have taken no notice of the development brief. We're not getting the amount of open space that we should, and the developers acknowledge that. It's unsympathetic to the area. We don't believe this is 21st century planning, it's just another standard housing estate going up."

Last week, 36 residents gathered at St Mark's Church, to voice concerns over potential problems generated by the development, such as rising crime, noise nuisances, sewage and the area becoming a traffic rat run.

A Barratt spokeswoman said: "After many months of detailed discussions our proposals for this development have been amended to take account of concerns raised by planners, local residents and councillors. As a result we hope the committee will take this opportunity to approve this scheme, which we believe offers significant benefits to the area and to the city. Together with our partners, Persimmon, we will not only be providing quality new homes and much-needed social housing in an attractive setting which will enhance the area, we will also be providing significant employment for local people."

Rawcliffe councillor Irene Waudby owns a property in St Mark's Grove, which backs on to the proposed site, and as a result she and her son, Coun Mark Waudby, will register an interest. They will speak at the meeting as ward councillors, but will not vote on the issue.

Updated: 08:43 Saturday, March 22, 2003