AT A meeting next week, the new Labour cabinet (on City of York Council) are set to agree proposals that would see vast areas of green-belt land across York being set aside for new housing developments.

The current housing targets will see about 14,000 new homes built in York over the next 25 years.

These targets were agreed to allow growth while protecting the green belt from development and maintaining the character of the city.

Higher targets would have meant setting aside green-belt land for housing.

However, that is exactly what Labour is planning: to build in excess of 5,500 more homes in the city over the next 25 years, a massive increase on the previously agreed targets.

These extra homes have to be built somewhere. Labour claims there are sites that can be used that aren’t in the green belt, but has never been able to back this up.

Before it agrees to such a large increase in development, it should come clean about where it will take place.

Labour should make sure they live up to their promises to listen to residents.

Coun Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat councillor for Dringhouses & Woodthorpe.