A PARISH council has called an extraordinary meeting tonight to discuss whether to mount a legal challenge to City of York Council over its decision to approve a 700-home development.

The city authority approved a reserved matters application for the Germany Beck housing scheme at Fulford earlier this year.

Fulford Parish Council claims the valid concerns of local residents were ignored and the village could suffer the consequences, and has consulted with lawyers as to whether the “flawed decision” might be successfully challenged in the courts.

Tonight’s meeting, which will be held at 8pm in the Old Library, at Fulford Social Hall in School Lane, will decide whether to launch judicial review proceedings in the light of up-to-date legal advice, and residents are being invited to attend and give their views.

Mike Slater, the city council’s assistant director for development services, planning and regeneration, said the principle of the residential development there dated back to May 2007, when outline planning permission was granted by the Secretary of State following a public inquiry in 2006.

The planning committee approved “reserved matters” after issues raised by the local community were considered. He said: “We will now have to await decision by Fulford Parish Council on whether or not to pursue a legal challenge through the high court.”