University plans for 2,000 jobs

Buildings would go up on farmland

A university's expansion plans could bring 2,000 new jobs, including 1,000 academic positions, it says.

York University wants to increase its student numbers from 10,000 to 15,000 over 10 to 15 years.

It plans to develop on farmland at Heslington East, next to its main campus.

The university aims to introduce new courses, including theatre, film and television studies, law and dentistry.

The development plans are to be considered by York City Council in September, after a public consultation.

They will then be referred to the government.

Traffic free

York is one of the smallest universities in England and says it needs to expand to maintain its position.

Under the development scheme, the existing campus and the extension would become almost free of traffic, with people using a transport system to travel between buildings.

If the plans are approved, the university aims to open the new buildings by the autumn of 2007.

Other universities are also expanding.

Surrey, for example, will on Monday lay the foundations for its new £10m postgraduate medical school.

It says this is part of "a major expansion" which includes new residences for up to 4,000 students and 300 staff.