RADICAL plans to almost double the size of the University of York campus today moved closer to a costly public inquiry after councillors gave them the green light.

But outline proposals for the £500 million Heslington East extension faced a barrage of criticism as residents raised concerns about traffic, green belt development and student "ghettos" during a marathon eight-hour meeting.

Rejecting a Labour move to defer the 65-hectare plans, Liberal Democrat councillors agreed with officers that social and economic benefits outweighed environmental concerns.

University leaders had said the expansion - accommodating 3,300 more students and creating 4,500 jobs - was critical to the institution's future.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Brian Cantor told the meeting the "jewel in the city's crown" must "grow or decline". He said the university, which employs 3,000 people, had been described by a Government funding chief as "outstanding... but in danger of becoming sub-critical".

Prof Cantor said: "The university must grow, but its campus is full."

Academics also said a review of 16 locations revealed land east of Heslington village, next to the main campus, was the only site appropriate for expansion. They rejected calls for a city centre "brownfield" development.

Residents raised fears that new accommodation would be too expensive, with high rents accelerating the "studentisation" of areas like Heslington, Fulford and Badger Hill.

Labour Group leader Dave Merrett warned that pricey campus beds would see more students flood the city's rental market at the expense of local families.

But the university said its rents were low compared with those of rival institutions and it had a 97 per cent occupancy rate to meet.

In another development, council highways chief Peter Evely said York's busy roads could handle traffic generated by the new campus. But he warned it was "absolutely vital" that a green travel plan managing cars in the area worked. Without it the roads "could not cope", he said.

As part of the traffic plan, which includes 1,500 extra parking spaces and a new road into the Science Park, the university pledged to fund "restraint measures" if cars were parked in neighbouring residential areas.

But local farmer Richard Bramley told the meeting he feared an increase in car use would "overwhelm the neighbourhood".

Other key features discussed included a low-emission University Transit System linking the campuses, as well as sports provision and a performing arts centre.

Nearly 30 speakers were registered at last night's lengthy meeting - a figure the packed public gallery heard was unprecedented.

After the meeting, protesters said they were now pinning hopes on a public inquiry. Plans to transform farmland the size of 60 football pitches are now almost certain to be called in by Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott, triggering a costly inquiry.

The university has said it expects a public inquiry if the plans were passed. But Prof Cantor said the council's decision was confirmation that the future prosperity of York was "inextricably linked" to the success of the university.

Updated: 10:39 Thursday, March 17, 2005