PLANS to build new homes on green belt land may be scaled down after councillors agreed to include the huge York Central development proposal in plans for the city's future housing needs.

Members of City of York Council's Green Belt Working Group last night voted in favour of incorporating the proposed 3,000-home brownfield site in York's Local Plan, due to come into effect in 2007.

As part of this blueprint for the city's future, the council must allocate provision for a certain number of home to meet estimated housing demand in York. This should include a percentage of affordable housing.

The move was strongly opposed by Labour councillors, who say a potential disaster awaits if the bulk of housing needs are staked on York Central.

Opposition Labour leader Dave Merrett said he felt the proposals put "all our eggs are in one basket" by banking on a long-term project with risk of delays.

He also questioned the viability of allowing such a financially unpredictable development to provide the necessary quota of affordable housing.

"If it slips back by years or goes completely belly-up then we end up without being able to provide housing, with severe consequences for the city in many ways," Coun Merrett said following the meeting.

"Liberal Democrats are putting their heads firmly in the sand on key issues facing the city."

But Liberal Democrat deputy leader Andrew Waller said: "It would be foolhardy to begin building on green-belt land when we know this (development is planned)."

If York Central, known as the teardrop, goes ahead, a huge residential and business development will be built on land behind York Station. A planning application has already gone before the city council.

Executive member for planning and transport, Ann Reid, who chaired last night's meeting, told the Evening Press: "We have always supported the allocation of housing in York Central and the advice from the government office supports that view. We need developers who might consider coming to York to understand that we are serious about that site."

Updated: 10:29 Thursday, January 29, 2004