MP admits sending misleading letter

Hugh Bayley was forced to apologise to the former leader of York Council, Steve Galloway, after claiming plans to sell off the Union Terrace site to York St John University were first raised 18 months ago.

In the letter, the Labour MP for York Central said that a meeting to discuss the proposals took place between Mr Galloway, his successor, Andrew Waller, and the university’s vice chancellor Professor David Fleming 18 months ago. However, Mr Galloway said these were “bogus claims” and demanded Mr Bayley write to his constituents correcting the error.

Mr Bayley said: “The meetings between councillors and the university of York St John took place early this year and not in 2010. Bill Woolley, the council’s deputy chief executive, has confirmed that the university approached the council about buying Union Terrace at the end of 2010. Therefore the matter has been under discussion between the university and the council for about six months, not 18 months as I believed when I wrote my letter.”

Mr Bayley said he would correct the mistake in his next letter, which will also include details on a consultation process for the Union Terrace sale.

That consultation was due to be given the go-ahead last night after hundreds of protesters planned to stage a demonstration in St Helen’s Square ahead of an extraordinary council meeting.

A new set of options was revealed this week that includes plans that could retain all the coach parking on the site, which is seen as a key location for helping bring in millions of visitors to the city each year. The controversial scheme has provoked a bitter row between rival factions on the council.

The Labour-run authority has maintained the previous Liberal Democrat administration was fully aware of the potential sale to the university for an expansion to its campus.

But Mr Bayley said: “It must be possible to find a win-win solution which lets the university expand while protecting the city centre coach and car parking which is so important to the visitor economy.

“I’m glad the council intends to consult the public and I hope this identifies a viable solution.”