IT is “absolutely critical” that York Central gets planning permission at a meeting this afternoon, according to the leader of the council.

Cllr Ian Gillies, speaking at a meeting on Thursday, said about £70 million of government funding for the scheme would be put at risk if the plans do not go ahead.

He said: “It’s time limited, that money. The first thing the chairman of Homes England said to me was they’re going to put it in front of the Secretary of State, he’s going to ask does it have planning permission.

“And if we say no then you’re at serious risk because this money is oversubscribed. So the sites that have already got planning permission will get priority.”

He also warned that if the scheme does not go ahead, 2,500 homes could be taken out of the Local Plan.

Cllr Gillies said: “We now have something like £155 million of public money to open this site up, we’ve been talking about it for 40 years, plus the Housing Infrastructure Fund bid is £77 million, we have already got £37.32 million from West Yorkshire Combined Authority.”

The application is recommended for approval.