A YORK MP has again urged council leaders to scrap plans for new travellers’ sites on the outskirts of York.

City of York Council proposes new pitches as part of its Local Plan, which sets out long-term development plans for the city, but York Outer MP Julian Sturdy says the council is wasting money and risking its reputation.

He has written to council planning officials, accusing the council of “irresponsible and complacent conduct” and a “blatant disregard for the green belt”.

He said legal precedent from a case in Wakefield suggested the council may lose any planning battle for pitches.

Coun Dave Merrett, the council’s cabinet member for planning, said the plans were consistent with Government policy on increasing the number of pitches. He said: “We are reviewing the evidence in the light of comments received and the latest Government guidance.”

He said York Conservative leader Chris Steward had said his party was not against Green Belt development, and Coun Merrett added: “So it appears that they are just against traveller pitches.”