Council officials are recommending approval of a planning application from the National Trust who own and currently occupy the Goddards site at 27 Tadcaster Road. The application is to open up part of the building as a visitor attraction. It is proposed to open up rooms on the ground and first floor to the public.

Opening hours to the public would be restricted to 9:30am and 4:30pm.

The gardens are already open to the public, for recreation, but potentially the permission could allow these to be used for events.

The house is grade 1 listed, it was built in 1926-27 by Walter Brierley* for Katherine and Noel Goddard Terry. It is recognised as the finest surviving work by the architect.

Access into the site is through the gatehouse, which fronts Tadcaster Road, the access road then leads to the main house and it’s gardens, and there is a car parking area to the north of the main house.

Planning permission was granted in 1983 for a change of use to convert the buildings on site from residential to office use. The permission was exclusive to the National Trust. Before 1983 the site was still resided at by the Terry family. The gatehouse reverted back to residential use from offices in 1999.

A public consultation event was held on site in Sept 2011 and attended by 87 persons. Officers report that, “All were in favour of the visitor attraction, and saw the proposed use as an important part of York’s history”.

The Planning Committee (West) will consider the officer recommendation at a meeting on Thursday.

*Walter Henry Brierley (1862–1926) was a York architect who practiced in the city for 40 years. (more…)

Although there has been some movement over the last few months in the housing market in Acomb, prices remain volatile.

Completed sale prices in one area ranged from £104,000 (flat) to £375,000 (house in Askham Lane).

A 5 bedroomed chain free property in Wordsworth Crescent is available for £229K.

A 3 bedroomed semi in Willoughby Way is advertised at £160K

In the rental market a 1 bedroomed property in Walker Drive is available for £495 pcm. In Vincent Way a 3 bedroomed house is available for £695 pcm

The latest House Price Index from Land Registry shows that house prices fell over the last year by -0.6 per cent. The number of property sales has increased slightly over the past 12 months, from an average of 57,334 sales per month from September to December 2010, to 60,392 in the same period a year later.

In Acomb the average price for a 3 bedroomed house is now £188K having increased over recent months.

Rentals for most properties have fallen although demand has pushed the average letting price for 4 bedroomed properties up to £977 pcm

City of York Council’s Sport and Active Leisure team is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to train up to become Community Nordic Walking Instructors.

The one day training course is organised by Nordic Walking UK in partnership with the council, and takes place on 24 May. Through taking part in the course you will gain a recognised qualification, have first aid training and become a fully fledged Community Nordic Walking Instructor. (more…)