A DECISION on whether targets for the number of new homes to be built in York each year should be raised will be made this month.

The Labour group which controls City of York Council wants a strategy mapping out the city’s planning ambitions for the next 20 years to include the aim of building 800 properties annually.

Debate over York’s Local Development Framework (LDF) under the previous Liberal Democrat administration saw the homes-per-year target set at 575. But Labour claims this will not be enough to support economic growth and will risk the strategy being thrown out when it comes under Government scrutiny.

Business leaders have also voiced concerns the 575 figure is too low. However, opponents say building 800 homes a year will threaten Green Belt land.

The council’s cabinet will next week discuss recommending the inclusion of higher annual housing numbers in the LDF. A final decision will be made when the full authority meets on June 30.

“Labour is honouring its manifesto commitment to ensure there is an adequate minimum housing supply for the next 20 years,” said Coun Dave Merrett, cabinet member for city strategy.

“We wish to ensure there are sufficient land allocations to ensure the future Green Belt can be properly defined and protected, based on an average 800 units a year. This will ensure the city can demonstrate a sound case (for the LDF) under public examination and minimise the chances of the plan being rejected, with the consequent delay, cost and planning uncertainty which would result.”

Coun Merrett said the focus would be on building more family homes, redeveloping brownfield sites and working with York’s two universities to provide purpose-built student housing.

But Conservative leader Coun Ian Gillies said: “Saying extra houses will be built is no good under the affordable housing targets set for developers, which were supported by the Labour Government.

“Labour also needs to say where these houses are going to be built. If they are not built on brownfield sites, the Green Belt will be at risk, and it needs protection. I also believe the council needs to be speaking to developers in order to provide incentives to build more houses.”