BEVERLEY could get its long-awaited park and ride as part of a development masterplan for up to 1,000 homes, sports pitches and a high-tech business park.
Five landowners have joined forces with planning consultants to come up with the masterplan for fields across the southeast corner of the town.
The 110 acres of land, east of the railway line, would extend the town's boundary as far as the new southern bypass.
East Riding Council has already earmarked the land as suitable for development in its draft Local Plan for Beverley.
The masterplan could see Beverley finally get a park and ride after the £6m council project failed to win Government funding when the town's £22m bypass got the go-ahead.
It could also provide additional sports pitches at Beverley Leisure Complex.
Stephen Hunt, planning policy manager at the council, said: "National planning policy requires councils to allocate sites to meet future need for development.
"We have allocated this site for a mix of uses because it relates well to Beverley. It's within walking distance of the town centre and is a logical extension to the built form of Beverley."
Mr Hunt said the landowners have proactively worked with the council on a development brief to show how the land could be developed.
He said: "In terms of community benefit, the development brief provides for the park and ride, which has long been sought after within the town.
"It also provides for an extension to the Beverley Leisure Complex playing fields.
"Up to 25 per cent of the homes would be affordable housing for people struggling to get on the housing ladder."
As well as providing car and coach parking, the park and ride would provide a direct link to the town, with a dedicated bus corridor alongside the railway line into Flemingate.
The developers would also be expected to contribute to other infrastructure, including school improvements to cope with additional demand from the new housing.
Part of the land would be designated for employment uses, such as offices and high-tech development.
Residents will get a chance to see the plans at a public exhibition at St Nicholas Parish Community Centre in Holme Church Lane, on Thursday, May 29.
A planning application would be submitted at a later stage.
The development of the land would be phased, with the park and ride expected to be part of the first wave of development.
The overall development could take as long as ten years to complete.
Rosie Dinnen, of the landowners' planning consultants, Barton Willmore, said: "It is really important for us to work closely with local people right from the start to help shape our plans.
"This scheme will provide a much-needed park and ride, sports pitches and recreational areas, as well a wide range of housing types and significant employment opportunities.
"Beverley is a vibrant town and by working with local people we hope this development will make a valuable contribution to the town by boosting the economy, creating jobs and offering new facilities and services."
