A NEW application to further extend the new York College campus building is set to be approved by city planning councillors.

The college has put forward a plan to alter its Sim Balk Lane campus, making it larger on the third and fourth level.

It's the second time the college has altered its proposals since City of York Council granted permission to build the new campus on March 4, last year.

The new £60 million campus, which replaces the old building in Tadcaster Road, aims to open for business in mid-July next year. Balfour Beatty Construction Ltd are the developers.

The principal changes to the original plan are:

An enlarged third floor level
An enlarged fourth floor level to the northern side of the building
An external storage area for the vehicle workshops
Amendments to the design of the decked car park
Redesigning the roof overhang due to Health and Safety construction and maintenance issues.

In a statement, the college told the council: "As the process of consultation with key users groups developed, it was clear that some key user groups would have specific locational requirements and operational needs.

"The spatial requirements of each key user group have therefore necessitated some internal amendments to the layouts of some rooms/spaces.

"Internal changes have in turn required some minor changes to the external appearance of the building to enable both internal layout and external appearance to co-ordinate with one another.

"All proposed amendments are required in connection with the successful running of college and are needed to fulfil operational requirements."

In a report to councillors attending a planning meeting on August 31, city centre and west team leader Gareth Arnold, concludes that the changes "appear to have been adequately justified by the applicants in terms of the future operation of the building and as a response to planning conditions". He has recommended the scheme be approved.

Mr Arnold wrote: "The design changes are considered to preserve the spirit of the original design concept for the building and would not have a detrimental impact on the visual amenities of the area nor have an adverse impact on the residential amenity of adjacent occupiers."