North Yorkshire Police are urging pedestrians and cyclists to make sure they can been seen from dusk until dawn.

This warning follows a number of collisions across the force in recent months where the pedestrian’s or cyclist’s lack of visibility may have been a contributory factor in the incident.

The advice issued by the force is:

· Wear something reflective or light coloured

· Always walk facing the oncoming traffic

· Pay attention to other road users

· If you must walk along a road without a path, stick to the verge

· Consider carrying a torch

Chief Inspector John Wilkinson, from the force’s Specialist Operations Command, said: “I am appealing to pedestrians and cyclists who use the roads during the hours of darkness to ask themselves before they start their journey: “Can drivers see me?”. If they have the slightest doubt, then the chances are that motorists can’t.

“I strongly advise that they wear something light coloured or reflective and an even use a torch if possible.

“It is vital that motorists can see you so they can slow down and give enough room to pass by safely

The Council is reporting that it has started consultation on its Local Development Framework Supplementary Planning Documents.

“Formal public consultation on the following Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) commences on Monday 23 January 2012:
• Controlling the Concentration of Houses in Multiple Occupation SPD;
• Subdivision of Dwellings SPD; and
• House Extensions and Alterations SPD.

The consultation will run for a statutory 6 week period until Monday 5 March 2012. Following consideration of the representations received during the consultation period the SPDs will be finalised and presented to Members before being formally adopted.

The purpose of an SPD is to expand upon policy or provide further detail to policies in Development Plan Documents such as the Local Plan or Core Strategy. SPDs do not have development plan status, but once adopted they are afforded significant weight as a material planning consideration in the determination of planning applications.

As part of the consultation, information on the Core Strategy is being sent to around 2,500 consultees including a wide range of organisations and bodies and individuals, placed in libraries and council receptions and uploaded onto the Council website. A public notice is appearing in the Evening Press to advertise the consultation.

The consultation documents are available to view on the Council’s website at www.york.gov.uk/LDF/SPD/ ”

Good news from last nights Planning Committee meeting with the new hotel proposed for the Barbican site getting the “thumbs up”.

Commercial property firm Broadhall unveiled proposals for the 165-bedroom hotel costing between £19 and 20 million, with conference and leisure facilities in September.

The Hilton Garden Inn Hotel is expected to take 62 weeks to complete now that planning permission has been granted by the City of York Council.

The development is vital if the adjacent auditorium is to continue as a concert hall. Ticket sales for concerts have been fairly average since it reopened and it badly needs to expand the use of the building during the day time. Conferences are the most obvious market opportunity and the availability of overnight accommodation next door – together with break out rooms and dining facilities – would be a big boost for the centre.

Directly the development will provide several dozen new jobs but equally important the arrival of more conferences in the City would provide a much wider boost for the local economy.