A CAMPAIGN is gathering pace to urge York residents and landlords to turn their homes green and help the planet combat global warming.

Mark Hill, a Green Party city councillor, successfully called on fellow housing scrutiny board members to focus on what steps could be taken to make properties more eco-friendly.

Among the ideas thrown into the mix was a proposal for the University of York to insist that all student-let properties on their books should be energy efficient - for example by installing low energy light bulbs.

After winning support at the City of York Council housing scrutiny board's meeting, Coun Hill said: "As a lone Green voice on a big committee, I am pleased I have had as much influence as I have. But this is a concern for all members of the committee.

"I have called for the council to develop an action plan, to review what we can do and recommend that the council makes changes to provide whatever incentives we can to encourage people to make their homes more energy efficient in terms of heating and electricity.

"We are now working with all our partners, including the Regional Assembly, local housing associations, the university and private landlords associations to see what steps we could adopt."

York council's equality officer put forward issues for consideration, including whether inequalities in housing exacerbate other inequalities in society.

A report to members highlighted that people who are disabled, young, elderly or from ethnic minorities, as well as single parents are "more likely to live in poor standard accommodation - with poorer energy efficiency".

"This not only increases energy costs for some of the poorest sections of the community, it can also have negative health impacts upon those living in such property," it stated.

Grants, available to pay for cavity wall and loft insulation for people on low incomes or disability benefits.

Members were told that any bid to address CO2 emissions from York's council homes would need to consider the experiences and needs of these people.

But Coun Hill said: "The most significant problem now is not council homes, but poorer quality, privately-let properties.

"One step that could be taken is for the university to insist on any student-let properties on their books being energy efficient.

"We have a lot of buildings going up in York.

"These could be subject to a supplementary planning guidance, to require developers to be energy efficient at the time."

Updated: 11:03 Wednesday, May 11, 2005