COUNCIL chiefs have been accused of damaging an important conservation area to accommodate York's controversial new "superbus".

Heslington residents hit out at City of York Council after a local road was widened to allow buses to pass each other more easily.

The controversy has erupted between Heslington Hall and Heslington Parish Church in University Road, at the end of the No 4 bus route.

Buses which complete their route early often wait at the spot before setting off on their return journey towards the city centre and Acomb.

Jeffrey Stern, vice-chairman of Heslington Parish Council and Heslington Village Trust, said the old vehicles did not pose a problem, but the road was widened to let vehicles pass the new ftr buses.

A large section of the grassy central reservation has been removed, which Mr Stern says threatens the area's character.

He said: "The problem is that the piece of grass they have cut away is in the centre of the most sensitive of sensitive areas in Heslington.

"It's between Heslington Hall, which is Grade II listed, and Heslington Church.

"It's also surrounded by very old trees, which have tree protection orders.

"Basically, they are making a very sensitive area an informal bus stop for these very large, violent-coloured buses, at the expense of the visual amenity.

"The fact is that it's in the middle of a conservation area, which has a village design statement saying the rural area is vital."

Mr Stern also attacked the council for failing to consult local residents, the parish council or the village trust, and said there was much anger in the village.

He said: "This is not an urban area.

"If you did this outside the Minster, people would kick up.

"Okay, Heslington Hall is not as important as the Minster, but it's incredibly important and it does not need this happening to it.

"This is more than just a piece of grass. It's vital to the whole feel of the area."

A City of York Council spokeswoman said: "The road is being widened to ensure that large vehicles can pass an ftr at the bus stop without damaging the grass verge.

"The work is being carried out so as not to disturb the trees in the verge."

Updated: 08:30 Saturday, May 27, 2006