THE prospect of 700 new homes on York’s outskirts has come a massive step closer after housebuilder Persimmon won “the battle of Fulford”.

Villagers had hoped to establish a village green on land which Persimmon wants to use for a major access road into the Germany Beck site.

Had the Friends of Germany Beck won its case, the company would have been forced to try to find an alternative access route.

But an inspector who conducted a lengthy public inquiry last autumn into the application is now recommending City of York Council turns it down, and the licensing and regulatory committee looks extremely likely to follow his advice when it meets next Friday.

Andrew Bowes, managing director for Fulford-based Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, said today, the company would be “progressing with the preparation of detailed development proposals” for the site following the decision.

He stressed while Persimmon wanted to “consider our options”, the Germany Beck housing scheme did benefit from outline planning approval.

Karin de Vries, speaking on behalf of the Friends of Germany Beck, said it was disappointed with the inspector’s recommendations because it believed it had put forward a very strong case, proving recreational use of the Germany Beck water meadow.

“We will need to study the report very carefully to analyse how the inspector reached his conclusions,” she said.

“Our case was built on the support of the overwhelming majority of the residents of the Fordlands Road community.

“We would like to thank them for the help they gave us in filling in questionnaires, writing statements, providing photographs and appearing at the inquiry as witnesses.”

She also thanked all the residents who supported the Friends with donations and offers of practical help, and the parish council for its support.

Another member, Alan Smith, said that if the council followed the inspector’s recommendation, the community and village would lose a valuable recreation area where people for many decades had enjoyed walking their dogs, picking blackberries, and relaxing in a natural environment.

“Local children would lose their safe area for playing, exploring and making dens. We would lose a water meadow that forms a valuable habitat for wildlife and flora.

“And our village would also lose an important part of its historical identity – a part of the site of the battle of Fulford. To lose all this would be a real travesty, and a sad day for Fulford and York.”