A CALL for planners to consider releasing greenfield sites for housing in and around York on their merits, went out today from a top developer.

Chris Johnson, Yorkshire regional chairman of York-based Persimmon said the only answer to the dilemma of housing shortages driving up prices out of the reach of first-time buyers was "wilful consideration to releasing land. It has to be greenfield land, but considered on its merits."

Mr Johnson's plea came after Persimmon's founder chairman Duncan Davidson broadcast his concern about Government restrictions on housing developers.

During an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme, Mr Davidson warned that new planning guidance by the government was hampering efforts to meet the growing demand for new homes.

But he stressed that he was not pointing the finger at the City of York Council which was equally frustrated at having to concentrate on brownfield sites which were in short supply and having to abide by the government's policy planning guidance seeking between 30 to 50 homes per hectare.

"It is a policy designed to deliver more houses on less land. We don't have a problem with this in principle but it's horses for courses. Some areas demand high density; others are suitable for large detached homes with good sized gardens.

"There is a shortage of houses and York is by no means an exception. At the moment demand is outstripping supply and the result is inflation of house prices. Over the last two or three years it has created a problem. First time buyers are finding it difficult to get on to the property ladder.

For the past 18 months the City of York Council has been carrying out the instructions of a government planning inquiry inspector and studying the future of its Green Belt land.

Council leader Coun Steve Galloway said: "There has been a difference of view between those, like myself, who feel that the majority of needs can be accommodated on brownfield sites and those who want to to develop green areas at Chapelfields, Clifton, Huntington and Haxby. A decision will be made in June."

But, said Coun Galloway, his opinion reflected the Liberal Democrats' view - that 3,000 homes planned for the "teardrop" site near York railway station and other brownfield developments, like the 150-200 apartments planned as part of the refurbishment of the Barbican will help to meet needs. That doesn't mean that there won't be some greenfield developments."

Updated: 09:27 Tuesday, November 25, 2003