The Foxwood Residents Association has tonight thrown its weight behind the “Save Acomb Moor” campaign
Meanwhile, papers published by the York Council on their web site have confirmed what most residents knew.
The whole of Acomb Moor should continue to be included in the Green Belt.
The papers detail how each site, that was put forward for development, was assessed.
The whole of Acomb Moor was put forward for housing by a developer called “The Moor Lane ‘Zero Carbon Partnership”
A complete list of submitted sites can be found by clicking here
Council map showing Acomb Moor as an important environmental feature. Click to go to source document
The published maps (see right) confirm that it should be retained as green field land. The relevant maps start at page 72 of annex 5
Each option for developing the moor is rejected on environmental grounds. This is one of the grounds that has resulted in the Moor being included in the draft Green Belt for several decades.
The full list of sites removed – because they did not pass the environment/setting test – can be found by clicking here
Strangely, officials then decided to re-evaluate their decision. There is no indication in the Councils papers why they chose to do so.
Only 6 of the 722 sites suggested for development met this fate
Officials talk loftily about “new evidence” being submitted for these sites. The “evidence” can be read here.
York Council officials U turn on Acomb Moor. click to enlarge
The report says that a request was made to review the northern boundary of the (larger) site. Officials appear to have reviewed the eastern boundary.
The commentary provided by the unknown official is clearly incorrect.
No attempt seems to have been made to look at the gradients (topography) involved. The Councils own maps don’t show contour lines.
The field in question isn’t “arable”. It hasn’t been cropped in living memory. It has been used for grazing before which it was the location of the kennels of the York and Ainsty Hunt.
No assessment has been made of the fields recreational value.
The odd shaped site would be difficult to develop (and certainly couldn’t accommodate over 40 homes).
All in all there appears to be something more than meets the eye to this proposal.
Investigations continue
NB. Over 250 local residents have now signed the “Save Acomb Moor” petition.
