YORK’S political leaders have been accused of jeopardising the future of the city’s green belt after approving a 20-year development plan.

Proposals by City of York Council’s ruling Labour group to include a target of 800 new homes a year in the Local Development Framework (LDF) were voted through at a full meeting of the authority.

It will go out to public consultation before being assessed by the Planning Inspectorate.

But Heworth Without Liberal Democrat councillor Nigel Ayre accused Labour of “bluntly refusing to listen to the will of residents” after a compromise suggestion he tabled was defeated.

Coun Ayre said his amendment would have ensured green belt land near Huntington, Heworth Without and Osbaldwick earmarked as having the potential for new housing could only be released for development following further consultation.

The Liberal Democrats put forward an amendment aimed at blocking Labour’s proposals to increase the annual housebuilding target but was defeated.

He said: “By refusing to compromise, Labour have made it more likely they will be developed sooner rather than later.”

Labour has said the increased homes figure is necessary to allow the city’s economy to grow and its housing needs to be met, as well as to ensure the LDF is not rejected by planning inspectors. A list of potential sites for more than 9,000 new homes to be built over the next 20 years was revealed this week.