CONTROVERSIAL plans for a housing scheme in York which was opposed by one of the city’s MPs have been given the go-ahead.

The five properties will be built next to a bungalow in Whitby Drive, in the Heworth Without area of the city, after City of York Council’s east area planning sub-committee approved the scheme.

A previous proposal was turned down last year after local residents claimed it would be a case of “garden-grabbing”, and York Outer MP Julian Sturdy was among those who called for the revised plans to be rejected.

However, planning officers said the development would not harm the appearance of the area.