PARCELS of land which could be taken out of York's Green Belt to make way for new homes and businesses have been unveiled.

The sites have been earmarked for future development as part of City of York Council's proposals to create the city's first ever permanent Green Belt.

The review was prompted by the need for the authority to decide its Green Belt boundaries before the public inquiry into its local plan - its development blueprint for the future - can resume. The current local plan will be reviewed in 2011.

The authority is also proposing 188 hectares of previously undeveloped land on a number of sites on the edge of the city and one north of Haxby, be designated as "safeguarded". This would mean the land could be kept in reserve for longer term development after 2011.

Coun Dave Merrett, executive member for planning and transport, said: "These proposals attempt to preserve York's attractive environment and allow the city to grow and develop. Much of that development will be on land we can recycle, but it was inevitable that some existing undeveloped land outside the current built-up areas would have to be allocated for development if York's needs over the next decade are to be met."

He added that, despite this, about 66 per cent of the city's housing needs up to 2011 will be met using previously developed, or "brownfield", sites.

The proposals, which follow widespread public consultation, were outlined to representatives of key groups, such as parish councils, developers, ward committees and environmental groups at a conference held prior to last night's official announcement.

Coun Merrett added: "These proposals are now in the public arena and we want to encourage public debate. We have aimed to take on board what people have been telling us they want in terms of more employment and housing and the protection of our green spaces.

"Inevitably these have been sometimes difficult to reconcile without some compromise, and local residents and businesses will need to see that we have got the balance and choice right."

The proposals include moves to get developers to provide public open spaces in any proposed schemes, to reinforce and extend the city's pattern of "green wedges", such as its strays and ings, to ensure York and its villages remain separate and distinct, and to make sure flood-risk areas are not developed.

But Liberal Democrat councillors have said the plans "threaten all that is special about York".

Coun Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat spokesman for planning and transport, claimed public consultation on the Green Belt was being undermined by "orders" from the Government.

She said: "We have very real fears about the threat to the quality of life in our city through following Government orders to provide space for 14,000 new houses and for new commercial and industrial development. We are concerned about inadequate transport infrastructure, demands on schools and local services and the future status of York itself."

Presentations will be given to residents through their ward committees and the proposals will be given widespread publicity.

Updated: 11:52 Wednesday, February 27, 2002