A CONTROVERSIAL 540-home development in Osbaldwick is a step closer to becoming a reality after plans were submitted to City of York Council.

The proposals for New Osbaldwick are set to go before councillors in December. An outline planning application has been submitted and, if that is approved, a detailed planning application will follow.

The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, which is behind the plans, hopes to start building by summer 2004.

Council development officer Derek Gauld said the development, which would be built on land to the west of Metcalfe Lane, would be energy efficient, using both grey-water recycling and solar energy. It would also encourage pedestrians and cyclists by having a maximum speed limit of 20mph, with 10mph restrictions in places.

He said that 35 per cent of the new homes would be affordable. If the plans are approved the first section to be built is expected to be in the area close to Osbaldwick village.

Ian Atkinson, project manager at the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, said there would be community facilities and possibly some shops in the centre of the development.

The project has met with opposition from some Osbaldwick residents who feel it would make the area overdeveloped and cause traffic problems. There are also concerns about construction traffic while the new village is being built.

Mr Atkinson said there would be disruption to the people living nearby, but they would try to keep it to a minimum.

He said: "The scheme will provide new housing which is desperately needed. There will 190 affordable homes.

"And although there will be the loss of fields, which people do enjoy at the moment, 30 per cent of the site will be open space and there will be play spaces to make the area more enjoyable."

He added that having houses on the site would make the area safer.

"We hope at the end of it people will see what we have done as the best way to produce housing for the 21st century. That is our vision," he said.

Chairman of Osbaldwick Parish Council, Malcolm Kettlestring, said: "Our main concerns are the effects on the environment of the surrounding areas of Osbaldwick. We are very disappointed to see this destruction of the only area of green land between the city and Osbaldwick.

"This also affects the loss of wildlife habitats."

Updated: 10:38 Thursday, September 04, 2003