The election of a LibDem led Council in 2003 seemed finally to have removed the threat that meant that large areas of York’s (draft) Green Belt would be built on.

Labour Councillors had previously advocated large scale expansion of the City meaning that most land lying between the ring road and the present urban boundary could have been developed.

in 2009 Liberal Democrats successfully campaigned against plans to build on land between Woodthorpe and the ring road.

The supply of development land was adequate to meet the historic building profile in the City (around 650 new homes per year).

Campaigns – led by Liberal Democrat Councillors – to protect Green Belt land had been successful in 2009 (see left).

So by 2011 a Local Development Framework (LDF) had been agreed which protected the draft Green Belt.

Development was concentrated on sites such as York Central (land behind the station), Germany Beck in Fulford and Derwenthorpe in Osbaldwick.

Most house building would be on previously developed commercial sites such as British Sugar, Terry’s and Nestle south.

In 2011 planning permissions for nearly 4000 new homes were outstanding. Enough to satisfy demand for over 7 years.

When Labour regained control of the Council in May 2011 they first tinkered with the LDF and then abandoned it altogether.

Building rates fell to an all time low in 2012 with onerous planning conditions and poor mortgage availability blamed.

The vacant land with planning permission was still there. But development was, and remains, very slow.

The Labour Council has spent the last 12 months asking landowners whether their green field plots should be built on.

Farmland which gains planning permission can increase in value by a factor of 100x so not surprisingly there has been a rush of willing sellers.

Labours plans are due to be published on Friday (12th April).

We have little doubt that many controversial green field sites will be identified for potential development.

We will publish details here when we have them and will vigorously oppose any attempt to destroy the City’s green belt setting.