A COUNCILLOR has demanded a guarantee that green fields on York's former Burnholme School site will not be built on during a re-development of the site.

Osbaldwick councillor Mark Warters said his fears had been raised that green space and playing fields might be lost after a report to City of York Council's Cabinet stated: "But as the business case and plans are developed, it may be necessary to consider use of some of the remaining green space on the site for housing."

He wrote to Cllr Dafydd Williams, cabinet member for finance and performance, requesting a clear statement ruling out any development on the school site's green space.

Cllr Williams claimed Cllr Walters was being 'somewhat mischievous,' as he had given a verbal reassurance 'dispelling the myth on playing fields' at a cabinet meeting.

He said the section in the cabinet paper reserving the right to use parts of the playing fields for other uses had to be put in for 'clarity,' adding: "However, (and I cannot stress this strongly enough) we are not proposing to do anything with the playing fields on the Burnholme site other than use them for playing fields.

"I am happy to give a personal guarantee that if there is ever any change in that position I will personally ensure that the matter is brought back to a public cabinet meeting to be discussed in public."