SECRET criticisms of York’s long-term house building plan made by a neighbouring council have emerged, after fresh delays were announced for the project.

City of York Council’s Local Plan suffered another set back last week when it was confirmed the long-awaited housing and jobs plan had been knocked back six months, because of shock announcements over the city’s barracks and fresh population statistics published by the Government.

Now it has emerged planners from neighbouring North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) voiced significant concerns over the draft plan for York, saying it was not ambitious, did not back up economic development plans for the wider region, and did not provide for housing needs beyond the initial 15 year period.

A letter sent by NYCC in September explained it was “ a corporate response of the County Council, agreed with Executive Members and takes account of representations received from across all relevant Directorates.”

The letter was taken offline yesterday, after The Press asked the city council questions about its content.

>>> Read the September letter here

>>> Read the October letter here

NYCC had submitted a second, more supportive, letter which simply asked to be kept informed about transport plans, and backs the upgrade plans for the A1237.

The September letter said NYCC had no significant concerns about specific sites, but was worried about the direction of the Plan, its level of ambition and its inflexibility - which it warned could mean a government inspector rejecting the proposals.

It also raised fears about the York Central development site, saying it relies on high density housing while the plans need to “meet the aspirations of potential occupants” or people leave the city for North Yorkshire and the East Riding.

It said: "We are disappointed that the Local Plan is not more ambitious in its approach to growth" and added: "York has potential to be a key player in the future of the sub region and the Local Plan needs to be sufficiently flexible to plan for growth now and in the next plan period."

It also raised concern over the proposed green belt area being too restrictive, adding: "...without more flexibility there is a risk that the city might be unable to provide for its long-term housing needs."

York Press:

On Monday afternoon, a spokesman for NYCC called the September letter an “interim or working communication” which has no formal recognition, and has been withdrawn and overtaken after detailed discussions between the two councils.

The later letter “makes clear the County Council’s continued support for a robust and high quality Local Plan that unlocks economic growth and prosperity”, they added, while NYCC agrees with York about the importance of maximising opportunities at York Central.

The North Yorkshire letters are among more than 2000 responses City of York received about the draft plan, during a consultation which ran from July to September this year.