NEWLY-elected Tory MP Julian Sturdy has called for a “long, hard look” at York’s controversial Derwenthorpe development, following the European Commission’s recent decision not to block the model village.

He also says he has written to City of York Council for clarification of the future of the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust’s 540-home scheme at Osbaldwick, and also of a huge area of land nearby which might be earmarked for future development to help York meet Government housing targets.

Only a day before the General Election, the commission announced it was not going to refer a breach of EU procurement rules by the council to the courts, freeing the way for the trust’s scheme to finally go ahead.

Mr Sturdy said after being elected MP for York Outer that one of his first key objectives was to fight to protect the city’s Green Belt.

Now, in one of his first constituency engagements, he has paid a fresh visit to the Derwenthorpe site, where he met two leading objectors to the scheme, Osbaldwick Parish Council chairman Mark Warters and Tom Hughes, of the Meadlands Area Residents’ Association.

He said afterwards he believed York needed more housing built, but the development of brownfield sites should be prioritised, adding: “We need to have a long hard look at the Derwenthorpe development.”

Mr Warters said today he was encouraged by the new MP’s willingness to stick to his manifesto promise to fight for York’s Green Belt.