PLANS to use a York stray as a Tour de France spectator base have become an "utter shambles" and left residents "baffled", according to a councillor.

City of York Council said a public meeting at Bell Farm Social Hall to discuss proposals for Monk Stray to be a campsite and spectator hub when the Tour comes to York on July 6 was "very well-attended with lots of community comment and interest".

But Heworth Without councillor Nigel Ayre said residents were told a licensing application for the event could not be discussed and there was limited time for questions, sparking a "slow handclap".

He said officials claimed there would be no live entertainment, despite this being advertised, and Coun Sonja Crisp, cabinet member for leisure, culture and tourism, was contradicted by officers after saying there were no plans to use the site until 5am despite the licence running until then.

"It is hard to think how the council could have got this consultation more wrong - residents' anger was completely understandable," he said.

Coun Crisp said campsite demand was being gauged and the spectator hub would only operate for up to 12 hours on July 6, being removed "as soon as appropriate after that".

She said any camping would be "away from the majority of residents".