A POLITICAL row blew up between leading councillors today following the release of the figures, as it emerged that the 50 per cent policy looks increasingly likely to be scrapped.

Top Tory Ian Gillies called for the “unworkable” scheme to be abandoned, saying: “The council should listen to those providing housing stock in order to alleviate what is rapidly turning into a crisis situation for those young families and others who need housing provision.”

But Labour councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, a staunch supporter of the policy, said 50 per cent was only a “starting point for negotiation,” and similar policies across the country had provided many homes.

She claimed critics had failed to address the fact that, over the last few years, several massive housing schemes had been held up for one reason or another, including Hungate, Heworth Green, York College, Derwenthorpe, Germany Beck and York Central.

Green councillor Andy D’Agorne claimed: “It is the economic climate and lack of capital available to loan that is preventing development from happening, not the affordable housing quota.”

But Steve Galloway, of the ruling Liberal Democrat group, said the authority was considering modifying the 50 per cent target.

He said when York residents were consulted on whether a 40 per cent target, with a range of options for developers to provide homes off site or provide a cash alternative, would be better, this proved a more popular option.