PLANS to expand York University must be approved if the institution is to maintain its place at the top, a report says.

Research into the city's future shows the university must be allowed to secure land at Heslington east if it is to keep its place as one of Britain's top ten universities.

The report, called A New Vision For York, was commissioned by the influential Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

It says: "The University of York represents a fantastic asset for the city, with the potential to become the major growth engine for the local economy.

"The city needs to ensure it delivers the proposed Heslington east land for the university to expand in physical terms in order to retain its top ten position."

University vice-chancellor Professor Brian Cantor said the city council was about to consider a draft development brief outlining the university's proposals before further public consultation.

But Jeff Stern, an opponent of the plan, said: "No one in the village is against the university expansion as such. What we want is to make sure that the alternatives are explored.

"It hasn't been thought through properly and is camouflage architecture. We feel it is being sneaked into the environment."

Prof Canter said: "Many believe that the expansion of the university is absolutely vital to the city's economic future."