YORK Central's MP has called for an end to building luxury apartments in York, in favour of much-needed family houses.

Rachael Maskell told the House of Commons she wants a "York First" principle to make sure that new houses built in York are of the type that people need not high value apartments out of the reach of many.

She has said that her office is contacted "every day" by people who cannot afford to either buy or rent homes in York, their home city, and that has an impact on the local economy and public services.

The MP called for the 72 acre brownfield site York Central - the Teardrop site - to be used "for public good" to provide affordable and social housing.

In a housing debate on Tuesday Ms Maskell said: "Everybody deserves to have a place to call home.

"I am making the case that local people must be put first in calling for a ‘York First’ principle to be applied to housing.

"The York Central site is the ideal place for these much needed homes and if we do not build now we will create a huge problem for the future.

"There is enough land here for family housing as well as for an extension to the National Railway Museum and for business opportunities. With the right planning, York Central will be a real asset to our city and it will offer a bright future for families and individuals in need of somewhere to live."