“Save the Green Belt” petition tops 1000 signatures. 94% say green belt land should continue to be protected in York.

Petition form

1042 residents have now signed the petition aimed at making permanent the draft Green Belt boundaries, agreed by the York Council in 2011.

This would mean that many of the controversial developments being proposed by Labour would have to be withdrawn.

Green Belt sites scheduled for development by Labour include land next to Knapton/Wetherby Road (Showmans Yard), the Great Knoll Foxwood Lane (residential), west of Moor Lane (residential) and Dunnington (Traveller site).

The number of survey forms returned now makes the following residents survey results reliable to +/- 3%.

The population of York should increase by 25% over the next 15 years Agree 8% Disagree 71% Unde 22%

“(Draft) Green Belt land should continue to be protected from development ” Agree 94% Disagree 3% Unde 3%

More homes should be built at previously developed sites like Terry’s and British Sugar” Agree 89% Disagree 6% Unde 5%

“I am opposed to plans to provide a “showmans” site on Wetherby Road ” Agree 84% Disagree 12% Unde 4%

Greenfield sites in Dringhouses should be protected from development Agree 99% Disagree 1% Unde 0%

“I am opposed to charging for parking at out of City centre retail parks ” Agree 78% Disagree 11% Unde 11%

“I am concerned about the development of large scale wind farms near the City ” Agree 62% Disagree 18% Unde 20%

“I don’t want to see Lendal bridge closed to private cars at the present time ” Agree 69% Disagree 13% Unde 18%

Save the green belt poster general

Crime rates continuing to fall – York still above average

Crime trends in York and North Yorkshire. click to enlarge

Crime trends in York and North Yorkshire. click to enlarge

North Yorkshire Police are celebrating North Yorkshire being the safest county in the country fallowing the publication of the latest crime figures.

Crime in York is down although levels remain above both the average for the rest of the force area and by comparison with similar City’s elsewhere in the country.

Residents can find local information and statistics on the following web site: http://www.police.uk/

In western York Anti Social Behaviour continues to be the most reported crime.

Crime levels in West York March 2013 click to enlarge

Crime levels in West York March 2013 click to enlarge

Free compost giveaway on Sunday

Free compost giveaway on Sunday

In partnership with Yorwaste Ltd free compost is being made available again.

Bring your own bag, container and shover (it is not pre-bagged) and help yourself to some free soil improver for your garden or allotment.

When: On the first Sunday of every month from March until October: 2 June, 7 July, 4 August, 1 September, 6 October

Time: 9:30am until 2:30pm or while stocks last

Where: Harewood Whin waste site, Tinker Lane, Wetherby Road, Rufforth, York, Yo23 3RR