Plans to create a ‘floating ecosystem’ in the River Ouse have been approved with a requirement to keep it litter-free.

The plans approved by York Council are set to see the 16.45m by 2.34m pontoon-like structure installed by North Street Gardens.

St Nicks, the environmental charity behind the plans, stated native aquatic plants would help create a thriving habitat for wildlife and help improve water quality in the River Ouse.

Conditions mandated by council planning officers require regular maintenance of the ecosystem to ensure that part of the river bank is kept litter-free.

Inspections will also be required after floods as part of its maintenance.

The ecosystem designed by Biomatrix is set to be made up of 14 modules fastened together with marine-grade stainless steel joints.

Floats will also be used to allow it cope with changing water conditions and the structure will be fitted to the river wall.

The ecosystem’s design allows it to rise and fall in line with water levels in the River Ouse.

The ecosystem is set to host between 20 and 30 different plant species including flowering ones to attract pollinators and insects and evergreens to provide shelter for small mammals.

The plants are intended to help support wildlife including by providing space for nesting birds.

Its islands will also provide shade under water and the roots of plants could become a shelter and feeding ground for fish.

The public will not be allowed onto the ecosystem and it will be reached by boat for maintenance.

The plans stated the ecosystem would be most visible from the bars, pubs and restaurants on the opposite bank of the river.

They added it aimed to provide a habitat for wildlife in a largely urban area.

The plans stated: “Floating ecosystems can be the injection of life an area needs.

“The structural floating technology allows thriving wetland communities to be created in challenging and dynamic waterbodies.”