AMBITIOUS plans have been revealed for a new business park in York - which could deliver 2,000 jobs to the city.

The new site, if given the go-ahead, would include new offices for business, restaurants, a children’s nursery and a gym.

The business park would be situated in St Nicholas Avenue, Fulford, near the Designer Outlet, but on the south side of the site to ensure a 35 acre green corridor.

Property developer Oakgate Group, which is behind the scheme, is inviting residents to attend a consultation next week to discuss its plans.

However, City of York Council chiefs said the current site is not allocated for employment use and government inspectors would need to examine the plan.

At 79 acres, the site would be bigger than the existing Designer Outlet, which is 60 acres.

Richard France, Oakgate Group managing director, said: “Naburn Business Park will provide high quality office and business space for existing companies from York looking to expand but we expect it will also attract major new investment into the City.

“We would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation so we can get as much useful feedback on our plans."

The consultation, which will run from 2pm-7pm on Monday, October 29, at Naburn Village Hall, will showcase the proposals and gather feedback from residents before a formal planning application is submitted. Members of the development team will be on hand to answer questions.

Mr France said: “We know many businesses are forced to move out of the area because there is not the choice or flexibility of space available currently, or in the emerging Local Plan.

“We think our proposals will complement the city centre and York Central plans, offering more immediate choices to businesses.

“This development could be delivered quickly and its sustainable credentials gives us confidence it will attract investment and high value jobs into the city, something that the council’s economic strategy is based upon.”

Mike Slater, assistant director of planning and public protection at City of York Council, said: “This site is not allocated for employment use in the submitted draft Local Plan. However, the developer has submitted this as a proposal for consideration by the government inspectors who will examine the Local Plan.”

The company has also been discussing road improvements for the area with the council, as well as improvements to the park and ride service.

Spokesman for Oakgate, Ben Pilgrim, said: “We have been in contact with York council, discussing several possibilities of whether to improve the park and ride service or bring in a separate transport service.”

Cllr Keith Aspden, of Fulford and Heslington Ward, said: “It is important to note that the area proposed by the developers for Naburn Business Park remains in the green belt, is not included as a site for development in the submitted Local Plan, and that a range of employment sites have already been identified across the city.

“Our local community has suffered considerable disruption as a result of development in the area and therefore, I would urge residents, particularly in Fulford and Naburn, to respond to any future consultation that the developers will run, particularly with any concerns they have on the impact of congestion, traffic and damage to the environment and character of Fulford and York.”

A spokesman from the Designer Outlet said it was unable to comment on the plan.