THE controversial Lancaster South housing development will be scrapped if newly elected councillors get their way.

The plan to allow 1,200 new houses to be built on greenfield sites south of Lancaster was a key issue in the recent local elections.

And the Green councillors, who scored a surprise election victory in Scotforth, claim they have a mandate from the public to ditch the housing plans.

"It was one of our election pledges to stop this scheme," said Scotforth West councillor, Emily Heath.

"We've succeeded in getting planners to amend reports with the aim of ensuring that the Lancaster district is never forced to accommodate a disproportionately large number of new homes.

"But we will have to wait until the Planning Inspectorate reports back before we can vote against the scheme."

The massive housing development was backed by the former ruling Labour group but an alliance of Greens and Independents could see the scheme scrapped.

The issue will finally be decided at a full council meeting.

The arguments against have been strengthened by the publication of two Government reports which suggest redeveloping urban and inner city areas instead of green fields.

"We are pleased that the Government now recognises the need to revitalise city centres in order to tackle problems such as traffic growth and countryside destruction," added Cllr Heath.

"The plan to build 1,200 houses on the countryside to the south of Scotforth is simply not acceptable."

And this week Lancaster's MP Hilton Dawson called for an end to development on greenfield sites where there was no identifiable need.

Mr Dawson commented: "If we are committed to the sort of urban renaissance envisaged by the Government.

"If we are committed to sustainable development we should be arguing now that there should be no more greenfield development unless it is explicitly and clearly to meet local need and no other site is available."

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