PLANS to double the size of the University of York campus are set to get the green light - leading dismayed residents to repeat calls for a public inquiry.

City of York Council officers are to advise its planning committee to give outline approval to the development.

They have said the economic and social benefits would outweigh the environmental impact.

The 65-hectare campus would be on "greenfield land" east of Heslington and would eventually create 4,500 new jobs. Plans for the development include:

Accommodation for 3,300 students

A total of 25 hectares devoted to Science City York

A "people mover" to transport staff and students across the campuses

A large lake, extended hedgerows and woodland

A performing arts centre open to the community

Sports provision.

The officers' report to the planning committee said "the applicant has demonstrated that very special circumstances do exist, by virtue of the socio-economic benefits of the proposed development and through a lack of alternative sites".

A raft of conditions have been attached to awarding approval, such as requiring annual surveys of on-street parking in Heslington, and the traffic travelling to and from the campus and at three main local junctions.

Nick Allen, Heslington Village Trust chairman, said he was disappointed, but not surprised by the recommendation.

"I think all our efforts at the planning committee meeting will be worked towards ensuring that this goes to a public inquiry.

"It's far too big a development on green belt land before the city council has had its Local Plan adopted to not go to a public inquiry," he said.

Richard Frost, Heslington Parish Council chairman, said: "The addition of 10,000 extra people alongside Heslington will have quite a dramatic effect on the village and we would prefer to see it distributed around the city. We appreciate that the university has to grow, but there are plenty of 'brownfield' sites."

John Grogan, MP for Selby, whose constituency includes the university, said he supported residents' appeals for a public inquiry, despite supporting the development "in principle".

He said: "I would expect to see detailed conditions if the planning application is approved concerning traffic and the need for student accommodation and facilities on the site."

Professor Janet Ford, who is leading the expansion project, said: "The university believes passionately in the Heslington East project. It will bring enormous educational, cultural and economic benefits both to the university and the York area as a whole, delivered in an economically enhancing way."

The planning committee will meet at York Guildhall on March 16, at 3pm.

Updated: 10:01 Friday, March 04, 2005