PLANS to help fledgling businesses in York by building a new business centre using environmentally-friendly designs have been welcomed by the leader of City of York Council.

Designs for the new purpose-built centre, in Clifton Moor, submitted by the Helmsley Group, have found favour with Coun Steve Galloway.

The blueprint includes solar-heated hot water, with collector panels fitted to walls, wind turbines on the roof and lighting controls turning on only when needed.

The Evening Press reported on Tuesday that councillors will consider an £800,000 scheme on Monday, which could see the closure of both the Fishergate Centre and the demolition of Parkside Commercial Centre, which cater for new and growing businesses.

Their functions would be transferred to the "futuristic" replacement centre, which will be built on a plot in Amy Johnson Way.

The centre will have room for 60 businesses - triple the size of the Fishergate Centre - which will be offered at low, subsidised rents.

The new centre would be geared towards encouraging the development of small businesses and job creation in York, in particular helping young people aged 18 to 30, and those who are just starting out in business.

The building, when it is completed, will be managed by York, Selby and Malton Business Advice Centres (YSMBAC), which has been established by the council and partners as the formal provider of business advice services in York.

Coun Galloway said: "The Lib Dems have been determined to incorporate sustainability into the design of new council buildings.

"This new proposal follows on from our determination to deliver the ecoDepot (a council sustainable building project, to be based at Hazel Court, off James Street).

"I am pleased to see that once again an economically-viable design can incorporate energy and water-saving features."

Coun Galloway said: "I believe that a flagship building would be really attractive to those wanting to start new businesses, and could really add something to the new projects.

"The design recommended by officers would produce lower carbon emissions than conventional buildings of its size."

Coun Galloway said the proposal, if accepted by councillors at a meeting of the leader and advisory panel on March 20, would mark another step forward towards meeting the Lib Dems aim of incorporating sustainability into council buildings.

Updated: 10:43 Thursday, March 16, 2006