PLANS for a new housing estate in York are set to be given the go-ahead this week after concerns it could affect transport links through a larger development nearby were addressed.

City of York Council originally granted permission for 48 town houses and 32 flats to be built on the site of the former Tarmac Ltd batching plant at Ouse Acres in 2009, since when a revised scheme including 57 homes has been drawn up.

A decision on the proposals for the development on land between Boroughbridge Road and nearby railway lines was initially to be made earlier this year.

But the council’s planning committee put this on hold to allow officers to look at whether it would hamper plans for a new access route to the York Northwest site, which formerly housed the British Sugar factory and the old Manor School.

A report which will go before the committee on Thursday said the Ouse Acres scheme would not affect any potential tram-train links or a new rail halt at York Northwest.

Planning officers have recommended the housing development for approval.

The scheme would include 17 two-bedroom, 16 three-bedroom and 24 four-bedroom properties, with a quarter of the homes being made available as affordable housing, as well as a children’s play area and a £158,000 contribution towards providing extra pupil places at Millthorpe School.

Kevin O’Connell, development management officer, said in a report: “If tram-train were to be funded in the future, it would operate on existing lines and this would not require any land on the site of the current application.

“Ouse Acres remains an option for a local, all-purpose, limited-access route from the British Sugar site to Boroughbridge Road.”

The site became available after Tarmac Ltd’s staff who were based at Ouse Acres relocated to the company’s Clifton Moor premises.

The original plans for new homes on the site sparked fears of traffic problems in the area, but the amended proposals drew only one objection, although North Yorkshire Police called for security measures such as alleygating to be included.