Councillors Keith Orrell and Keith Hyman are opposing Green Belt development.

Proposals for nearly 15,000 houses in York were passed this week with support from leading Conservative Cllr Joe Watt.

At a special meeting of the Local Plan Working Group (LPWG), Liberal Democrats urged council officers to look again at the options for housing demand in York. However, Labour’s proposals for 926 houses a year were passed with support from Conservative Cllr Joe Watt. The proposals would see massive Green Belt development and have faced huge opposition from local residents.

The recommendation for 926 houses a year was passed by 6 votes to 5, with Cllr Watt’s vote proving decisive.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, commented:

“Following our successful motion to halt the Local Plan process, the Liberal Democrats wanted to see the predictions for housing demand in York more closely analysed including further information on population projections. It is incredibly important to get the proposal for housing demand correct as this will directly influence the sites to be used within the Local Plan.

“Unfortunately, the Conservative vice-chair of the committee sided with the Labour proposal allowing the plan to progress for nearly 15,000 houses and huge Green Belt development. Residents, parish councils and the Action Group fighting these plans will be hugely disappointed.”

Cllr Nigel Ayre, a Liberal Democrat member of the Local Plan Working Group, commented:

“Consultants have made it clear that they would look again at the housing figures due to possible over-inflation of demand. However, the Conservative vice-chair of the committee has chosen to ignore this.

“The Liberal Democrat Group will continue to vigorously oppose development on this scale and will fight these proposals all the way. It is disappointing that the same can’t be said for the Conservative Group.”