A NEW decision day has been set for controversial proposals to sell a York car park.

City of York Council’s Liberal Democrat group has used little-known rules to call an extraordinary meeting of the authority to debate the ruling Labour party’s plans to allow York St John University to buy the Union Terrace site for a campus expansion.

The meeting, on August 4, will see councillors debate a Lib Dem motion for the sale to be withdrawn, and a meeting of the council’s cabinet, which Labour says will ensure a decision is made that day, will immediately follow.

Labour has said the scheme would plough £2 million into a city-centre revitalisation scheme and introduce pay-on-exit parking, as well as creating more than 100 jobs, but it has sparked a huge public backlash.

The issue was due to be discussed by the cabinet today, but the matter was postponed, after Labour said a new report on the issue emerged.

The extraordinary meeting will be held in the Guildhall’s council chamber.

Lib Dem group leader Coun Carol Runciman, said: “There is a great deal of strong feeling about the current plan, so it is only right that councillors, local traders and residents get a chance to debate the issue in public.

“Selling Union Terrace car and coach park would be devastating for local businesses, many of whom rely on passing trade. Its loss would also have a big impact on residents and those from a wider area who use it when visiting York Hospital or Gillygate Surgery.

“The council needs to be clear about the impact this would have on residents, businesses and the York economy before any sale can be agreed in future. That is why we want this proposal withdrawn now.”

Council leader James Alexander said: “The decision over the sale was delayed to ensure it was not rushed and consultation could take place, but the Lib Dems now want it brought forward and, in light of them invoking rarely-used powers to call a special meeting of full council, it seems clear a meaningful decision from the meeting is required.

“Given that only the cabinet can legally make the decision on this matter, and following Coun Runciman’s call for an early decision, I have called that the cabinet be convened to take a decision on this matter immediately following the full council meeting.”

The council constitution allows a group of councillors to force a meeting to be called if the Lord Mayor refuses to convene one.