The University of York was granted outline planning permission to build on 122 ha of farmland in March 2005. The picture on the left shows the site to the east of Heslington village.

It is claimed that the proposed development will bring over 1000 university jobs to the City. But over 2500 jobs associated with a thinly disguised office development are also planned. The picture on the right at the top of the page shows recent building on the existing Science Park at the University. Such poor quality architecture does little to inspire confidence in the new development.

In order to cope with the new traffic generated by the scheme, the University is proposing to build a new junction at Field Lane. A new road will then be driven through the area show in the picture to the left, across what is known as Dean’s Acre. Dean’s Acre was given to the University some years ago with the understanding that no development would be allowed on it.

An unprecedented number of people spoke to oppose the plans at the Council’s Planning Committee. The vote to approve the outline permission was only narrowly carried. Those who oppose the development successfully campaigned for a public inquiry. Read the arguments against the development and come to your own conclusions. There are better and more imaginative ways of developing the University, the City and the local communities.

The University’s view about the development can be seen at its Heslington East web site.