THE future use of York's Thrall site may have to be in other aspects of the rail industry rather than just manufacturing, according to city planners.

At a meeting last night members agreed on a planning policy for the former Thrall Europa site, but it was suggested the preferred use of the site, rail manufacturing, may not be taken up.

Coun Steve Galloway, said: "I think we are all keen to see rail use returned on this site, but we recognise that the odds are against us. I wonder whether we are being too specific saying rail related manufacturing.

"There are other aspects of the rail industry that could be on that site, refurbishment, repair, skills training, possibly research.

"I think in what ever document we publish we should ask people to think as widely as possible in terms of the types of use the site might be put."

The site was formerly part of British Rail Engineering before being leased to Thrall Europa while under the ownership of Yorkshire Forward.

Thrall stopped building freight stock in December last year and the site was sold to Ashtenne, which was approached by housing developers enquiring about residential use.

The planning policy statement, which was passed by the committee, says the site is an important manufacturing site due to its rail links and access to the National Railway Museum which would have to remain in any new development.

The importance of the site as a manufacturing facility is also highlighted in the document which states: "The Thrall site is important to the city as there are only a limited number of large manufacturing sites currently available and there are considerable difficulties in securing new ones."

The statement will now go out to public consultation and will be used to guide prospective buyers and developers.

Updated: 10:53 Friday, February 28, 2003