CONTROVERSIAL plans to alter York's Green Belt are to be put before the public at the end of this year, councillors have decided.

Members of City of York Council's executive agreed with recommendations from Thursday night's joint committee meeting regarding the third revision of the local plan.

The plan will soon be available for York residents to scrutinise, after councillors agreed a draft provisional timetable which should see a six-week consultation period begin in December or January.

The revised local plan includes proposals to reserve sites at Haxby, Clifton Moor, Monks Cross and land west of Chapelfields for housing and business development to be used after 2001.

Council leader Dave Merrett said: "This is one of the most critical items we will deal with in terms of forward thinking and aims.

"We all know how important this is for the future and well-being of the city. If residents have different views then we need to listen to those very carefully."

Feedback from the public consultation period will be analysed before a public inquiry is reconvened late next year.

Updated: 13:53 Saturday, November 02, 2002