Tory candidate for Selby accused of 'hypocrisy' over housebuilding comments

In an interview with The Yorkshire Post last week, Ms Holmes pledged to “protect” green spaces when asked about building housing.

"Politics is all about balancing competing interests, it's clear that we do need more housing and affordable housing," she said.

"But equally, it is important that housing is in appropriate places, and my view is that we need to protect our green spaces.”

Last night she was accused of “hypocrisy” over her comments, given her previous experience as planning portfolio folder involved in the East Riding’s “Local Plan” which would see over 20,000 homes built, many of which on green land.

The council’s own sustainability appraisal of its plans to build new homes admitted that “the majority of development will take place on greenfield land on the edge of identified settlements” with its green status becoming “irreversible” once it is built on.

In addition changes to the plan indicated that Local Green Spaces, which originally were to be given the same protection as green belt land, would now only be afforded the same status as it would be “not appropriate” for most green areas.

Local sources suggested Ms Holmes had limited involvement in the consultation over the proposals before they were submitted for approval given she had only served as a councillor for around 2 years.

A Conservative Party spokesperson backed Ms Holmes’ involvement, saying that the plan was drawn up with “extensive” consultation with local people, and echoed the views of those across the East Riding.

But Keir Mather, Labour’s candidate for Selby and Ainsty said: “This is sheer hypocrisy from the Conservative candidate who has said one thing to canvass votes for this by-election, but has stripped protections for Local Green Spaces where she lives 50 miles away.

“I’m passionate about protecting the beautiful green spaces of Selby and Ainsty whilst making sure housing needs are met. Where the Conservative candidate has bulldozed plans through, Labour would make sure that communities are brought in early on in the processes because their consent is vital.”

A Conservative Party spokesperson said: "Claire helped to draw up part of the Local Plan in East Yorkshire after extensive consultation with local people who were at the forefront of the conversations around housing.

"As a result, the plan submitted echoes the views of people across the East Riding and where they believe new homes could be located.

"And if elected as MP for Selby and Ainsty, Claire is adamant the views of local people must be respected and considered for any future housing projects.

"She will protect the green spaces in and around Selby and Ainsty to ensure the right sort of new homes are built in the right places - and are not subject to the sort of arbitrary numbers Keir Starmer and the Labour Party want to impose from Westminster."

Last month Yorkshire MP David Davis called for a housebuilding campaign similar to those that took place after the world wars.

David Davis was opening a backbench debate on housing in the Commons when he suggested the campaign, and he said one solution to housing shortages would be to build more garden towns and villages.

Conservative former housing secretary Simon Clarke, who has been vocal on the need for his party to better address the issue, told the Commons it was a “mistake” to weaken housing targets for councils across England.