A WAR of words has broken out between Selby's MP and its top councillor.

Council leader Mark Crane has slammed Government proposals to build a 15,000-home eco-town near Eggborough, branding the plans "ill thought through".

The leader of Selby District Council said the scheme had been pushed through with "indecent haste", and said the only person in favour of it was outgoing Selby MP John Grogan, who he claimed had given no reasons for his stance.

But Mr Grogan hit back, saying Coun Crane had whole-heartedly supported the scheme at a Leeds City Region meeting in October.

Now Coun Crane has sought to clarify his position, saying he is in favour of the eco-town in principle, but does not believe the proposed site measures up.

Developer GMI Property Company has submitted plans to build one of 10 eco-towns the Government wants to develop across the country.

The proposed scheme would see up to 15,000 homes and more than a dozen schools coming to the district.

But Coun Crane said: "Imagine my surprise when the Government announced plans to build an eco-town of 15,000 houses totally outside the planning process," he said.

"The first I heard of these proposals was just prior to Christmas, I didn't find out the numbers involved until January 3, and then only because the company involved told me."

He continued: "This is nothing short of a commuter town. There are no identified jobs, just a piece of land put aside for potential employment use."

He said the Government had failed to consult with the district council and added he felt Whitehall was trying to get around greenbelt planning restrictions.

But Mr Grogan said: "Mark Crane said on October 18: An eco-town would bring great benefits, not just to Selby, but to the region as a whole.

"It would help boost housing targets and could also provide new job opportunities. People don't like new homes being built near their properties, but this would be a totally new settlement and take away that problem.'"

Mr Grogan added: "I could not have put it better myself."