PLANS to build a third of York's green belt housing development at Huntington have been criticised by community leaders.

Parish council chairman Eurig Thomas said a further 700 homes and 70 per cent of the city's commercial extension would come to the village by 2011.

The prospect arises from plans for new boundaries for the city's green belt, which will dictate where land is available for new housing and industry.

Coun Thomas said: "It isn't a case of not in our backyard. Over a number of years we have encouraged and supported development, but it's a question of how much we can take, and this has reached the stage where enough is enough.

"We are working totally in the best interests of the community. It is disproportionate, unreasonable and unfair."

A spokeswoman for City of York Council said: "These are only proposals at this stage. We are committed to city-wide consultation which will allow everybody to put their views forward.