I WANT to echo The Press’ call for residents to have their say on the new draft Local Plan (Comment, June 21).

As part of the joint executive, Liberal Democrats have been working with officers since last May on the latest plans which aim to deliver the housing York needs but protect the character of our city.

Planned green belt development has been drastically cut from Labour’s proposed levels with a greater focus now on brownfield sites like York Central.

Safeguarded land (land set aside for further development) has been removed, including Moor Lane in my own ward.

This brings certainty to local residents that the site won’t be developed and will instead formally become part of York’s new permanent green belt.

All our proposals are evidence-based following independent advice on population and housing trends.

Labour councillors have already called for higher growth which shows they have failed to listen to residents who rejected their proposals in 2013 and 2014.

Next week, councillors from all groups will have their say before a citywide public consultation begins in July.

With central government threatening to impose a plan if no progress is made, I would urge local residents to have their say and contribute to the development of a Local Plan that is right for York and its communities.

Cllr Ann Reid, Dringhouses & Woodthorpe, Deputy leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Grassholme, York