THE decision by a planning inspector to refuse planning permission for 102 dwellings on the Brecks Lane site in Strensall is welcome news for residents and a massive rebuttal of Labour planning policies in York.

The Labour group’s decision to grant the development last February was a kick in the teeth for Strensall residents and motivated by nothing other than political dogma in the face of good planning practice. It would be interesting to know how much the appeal cost the council; even more taxpayers’ money wasted.

Those of us who fought to reverse their decision, spending large amounts of our own time (and our own money) in doing so, can feel totally vindicated that what we said was right all along. It also gives us a precedent to draw on to defend other green belt sites under threat.

However, all this could be lost unless the emerging local plan is fundamentally altered. The council elected on May 7 needs to be made up of people who understand the planning process and the importance of protecting the green belt to retain the historic character of York.

York needs housing, but there are brown-field and windfall sites which must be the first priority for development, not the green belt.

Tony Fisher, Liberal Democrat candidate for Strensall ward, West End, Strensall, York.