NEW developments are threatening to "completely gridlock" York, the city's Green leader has warned.

The warning came as opposition councillors delivered their New Year messages for 2007.

Andy D'Agorne, leader of the Green Party group on City of York Council, said 2007 would be a pivotal year for York's character, with a string of new projects possibly getting the go ahead.

Coun D'Agorne said: "2007 will be a key turning point for the future of York as a special place, with Government decisions following the inquiries into the university expansion and housing developments at Derwenthorpe and Germany Beck, plus planning decisions on Terry's site, and possibly the Nestl, British Sugar, York Central and Castle Piccadilly sites.

"The opening of the new York College will mean work starting on housing at Tadcaster Road; work could finally start on the Foss Islands Road Morrisons store; the Hungate site will progress and work could start on the ill-fated Barbican development - bringing nearer the day that the city will become completely gridlocked."

Coun D'Agorne and his Labour counterpart Dave Merrett both looked ahead to the local elections in May, and highlighted a range of local issues. Coun Merrett said health issues would be particularly important during 2007.

He called on the council to liaise closely with pubs to ensure a smooth transition when the smoking ban is introduced in July, and launched an attack on the current council over leisure services.

He said: "At the moment the major issue for York residents is obviously about the way the Council has been shredding its leisure provision, just when everyone is recognising its importance to healthy living."

Coun Merrett said improving community safety and upgrading the council's CCTV system would also be Labour priorities over the coming year.

The Press recently carried council leader Steve Galloway's Christmas and New Year message, in which he looked ahead to the results of the planning inquiries.

Coun Galloway said the university expansion was vital for York's economy, and said one of the housing projects could ease the city's homes shortage. He said there were exciting times and opportunities ahead for York residents.

Coun D'Agorne's comments reflect those of Lord Best, the outgoing director of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

In The Press on Monday, he said there was a need for more spacious development in York, particularly family homes with gardens.