York council has launched a consultation process on the future of the city’s green belt.
The council is proposing fewer restraints on green belt development and will consult residents on specific green belt sites.
Green belt makes up 80% of the area for which the council is responsible.
The consultation process will contribute towards a revision of the council’s green belt policy, as part of the development of York’s Unitary Development Plan.
Dave Merrett, the council’s executive member for planning & transport, said that residents want “a balance between creating housing and jobs” and protecting York’s heritage.
Cllr Merrett said that the council has tried “to ensure that as much development as possible takes place on previously developed land”.
He said that the council has also tried to make sure that “there are significant amounts of landscaping and public space incorporated in any development of new sites”.
The consultation process will finish at the end of September.
EGi News 17/06/02
