ANGRY parish councillors at Huntington say they have been "snubbed" over York City's move away from Bootham Crescent - and they want to know why.

Parish council chairman Keith Hyman said the council had not had as much as a phone call from City of York Council on the football club's proposed move to Huntington Stadium.

This has angered members, who feel the parish council has been left out of a scheme that would bring big changes to the village.

But York council bosses today insisted there would be consultation. Mr Hyman said the parish council planned to write to the authority asking them to explain themselves.

Huntington villagers have also expressed concern over the possible move.

Dennis Banks, of Broome Way, said bringing York City to the area would exacerbate the problems on the ring road.

He said: "The ring road is choc-a-bloc almost all of the time. City have to go somewhere but the council should start organising themselves to sort out the road.

"York City is one of a number of things that will contribute to the problem."

Mick Tennison, also from Broome Way, said he had no objection to York City coming to the stadium, but did not want the running track to be taken up.

He said: "It is well used by the community and there are only about three tracks in the north of England.

"I have also heard they are thinking of changing the name of the stadium and I am also against that."

Although no formal planning application has been submitted, council chiefs in York have stressed that the authority would do what it could to facilitate the football club's move to Huntington Stadium.

Charlie Croft, City of York Council's assistant director for leisure, said he hoped people appreciated the authority's urgent efforts to save the football club.

But Mr Hyman said: "We feel that we should be consulted and we will be sending a letter to the council to that effect.

"Sometimes we feel that the present council doesn't seem to regard the Huntington Parish Council. This move should be the subject of a major consultation exercise.

"We don't just want to hear lip service. We have received nothing from the council about this."

Parish councillors are particularly worried about the increased traffic that could result if York City were to relocate to the stadium, on the edge of the shopping development at Monks Cross.

Mr Croft said: "As part of the planning process related to any such planning application the council will be consulting residents and other stakeholders such as the parish council. We have made this very clear right from the start."

York City commercial director Sophie McGill said the club was determined to embrace all elements of the community.

She said: "This is all in the very early stages. We have just appointed the architect and the traffic and transportation consultant.

"It is York City Football Club's stated intention to embrace all elements of the community around Huntington and work with all parties to find the right solution."

Updated: 10:29 Monday, April 21, 2003