YORK council’s plans to allocate land at Dunnington for a travellers’ site have come under fresh fire at a public meeting.

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy, who organised the meeting in the village on Saturday, claimed City of York Council had failed to consult with neighbouring authority East Riding of Yorkshire Council over the proposals in its draft Local Plan.

He also asked why York wanted to provide many more pitches across its area than neighbouring authorites, such as Selby district, which wanted to create just ten extra pitches, Harrogate, which wanted seven, Hambleton, which wanted 11 and East Riding of Yorkshire, which wanted 25.

Dunnington councillor Jenny Brooks claimed York’s calculations were based on assumptions, rather than the robust evidence needed under Government guidelines.

The meeting was attended by about 50 residents, who were uniformly hostile to the proposals for a 15-pitch site on land in Common Lane.

One woman said she feared an increase in poaching in nearby Hagg Wood, while others spoke of the need for the land to be kept undeveloped to retain a buffer between the village and an industrial estate.

Residents also claimed the plans were against national guidelines saying councils should consider the protection of Green Belt.

Mr Sturdy said the proposed site was in York’s Green Belt, as it was treated that way when planning applications were submitted.

Labour’s cabinet member for housing, Tracey Simpson-Laing, said incorrect information was once again being given to Dunnington residents and it seemed Mr Sturdy did not understand that York was part of the York & North Yorkshire sub-region.

“The policy for sites is set by the York & North Yorkshire Housing Partnership, and takes consideration of neighbouring sub-regions,and is recognised by the Department for Communities and Local Government,” she said.

She said the site was not in the green belt, as York did not have a legally defined belt.