UP to 6,000 jobs could be created through a major regeneration package for a key city site.

The 60-hectare site just to the west of York station has been identified as a "once-in-a-millennium" opportunity for the city's economic future.

At present, it is largely vacant or under-used but a report indicates it could provide thousands of homes and high-quality office jobs.

Consultants Roger Tym and Partners say the site offers the chance to expand the city with a mix of offices, housing, leisure and cultural facilties and shops.

The report was commissioned by a consortium of the major landowners, and the citycouncil, and will be discussed by councillors next week.

Executive member for planning, Councillor Dave Merrett, said: "The council needs to secure development of land in the urban area to reduce pressure on the green belt and to accommodate development which would be difficult to achieve or inappropriate in the historic core of the city."

The next step in the process will be the preparation of a planning framework and planning brief, with full public consultation.

The development is expected to take up to ten years to complete. It is likely to be 2003 at the earliest before work can start.

Brian Greenwood, of the regional development agency Yorkshire Forward said: "The site offers York an opportunity to achieve significant economic growth and urban renaissance.

"The transformation of this brownfield site is one of Yorkshire Forward's key breakthrough projects."