A SMALL portion of land on the York Central site could become a crucial bargaining chip for the City of York Council, city leaders have said.

The council owns about five per cent of the land on the York Central site, and bosses had been urged to sell the plots to Homes England to bring in money and to simplify the development deals.

But after appeals from ward councillors and local campaigners, the council’s leaders have now confirmed they have no intention of selling off the land - the Carlisle Street car park and former Fermatol site.

Council leader Cllr Ian Gillies said the plots would “give us a seat at the table” alongside the larger land owners Network Rail and Homes England, and could be worth more as a bargaining chip in the future.

He said: “We are retaining the land for now. York Central is a partnership, and we are part of that, but being a landowner gives us clout.”

Deputy leader Cllr Andrew Waller said the leverage, or bargaining power, the small plots of land could bring could help make sure what is developed fits with what the public wants, and ensure the site includes much-needed social housing.

In March, council staff argued that selling off the small plots of land would simplify the partnership deal that needs to be struck, and would bring in money to help fund the project.

Cllr Gillies now says the £1million to £2million the land could bring in is not significant compared with the extensive project costs on York Central, and the land’s value is not going to decrease should the council decide to sell in the future.

Kallum Taylor, a Holgate ward councillor, had urged the council leaders not to sell off the land prematurely, and said he was “pleased and relieved” to hear the land will be retained.

He added: “Regardless of its internal politics, the city council is the only local and accountable body within the York Central Partnership, so it is vital that our elected councillors keep and use everything in their powers to get a good deal for local people. This means avoiding short-term decision-making and premature land sales; and instead seeing the bigger picture which will help our residents and communities further down the line. We cannot be passengers in this process.”