Over 350 two-year-olds take up free childcare places in York

Over 350 two year olds in York have taken up the offer of free childcare places this term – over two thirds of those who are eligible.

click for more information

click for more information

Approximately 600 two-year-olds in York – double last year’s figure – are eligible for up to 15 hours of free childcare a week at a playgroup, day nursery or with a childminder this term as part of a national initiative. A further 500 will be eligible from January.

Parents, who earn no more than £16,190 a year and receive Working Tax Credits, Child Tax Credit or Income Support, could be eligible for a free childcare place for their child or children. Two-year-olds, who are looked after by the council or have a Child Protection Plan, automatically qualify for a place.

Children with special educational needs, those who have been adopted or with a residency/special guardianship order also qualify for a place.

The free places are available to children who are two years of age and whose parents fulfil the criteria. The places can be taken up the term after the child’s second birthday.

Parents can apply on line at www.yor-ok.org.uk/childcare or to find out more call the Family Information Service on 01904 554444 or text ‘’free place’ to 07624 802244.

Clegg slams Labour Local Plan for York

In a letter to local Labour Councillor James Alexander the Liberal Democrat leader criticises “incremental” housing development – adding homes to existing communities – and advocates larger schemes on “Garden City” principles that are accompanied by new schools and other key infrastructure.

Labour's Local Plan proposals 2013 click to enlarge

Labour’s Local Plan proposals 2013 click to enlarge

He writes: “I recognise that the incremental add-on style of development, or ‘urban sprawl’, tends to cause high levels of local resentment.

“Building around the edges of existing developments often destroys local green spaces, does nothing to improve local infrastructure and tends to create a drain on resources such as schools and hospitals.”

The Lib Dem leader said he was looking at a “range of options” to encourage communities to accept new garden cities.

The Local Plan published by Labour 18 months go relied heavily on incremental development. The fringe building proposals including using sensitive sites like Acomb Moor

The Labour Plan was sent back to the drawing board in October

 The only development which might have been considered to be a new “garden village” was a 6000 home community be called Whinthorpe which was to have been located south of the A64 southern by pass near the University.

It is, however, in the Green Belt and would require a huge investment in transport infrastructure to bring to fruition.

The expectation is that any new garden village would be located further away from existing urban areas with the ability to provide enhanced transport links a key criteria.

Liberal Democrats have previously identified how an additional 12,000 homes can be provided on brownfield land in the City over the next 25 years.

This would be adequate to meet the requirements of any realistic economic growth projection. 

The LibDem plan would – unlike Labours – include a “windfall” allowance intended to recognise that many homes will be built on sites which are currently used for other purposes.

Hudson House in Toft Green

Hudson House in Toft Green

NB. Most new homes built in the City during the last 5 years have been built on brownfield land.

Over the last 18 months a record number of planning applications for new houses (over 1600) have been approved by the York Council. 90% of these have been for brownfield “windfall” sites not identified for redevelopment in Labour’s Local Plan.

Just today plans to convert part of Hudson House into 115 flats have been announced. Last week developers said that they would provide 26 apartments in a disused chapel located near the hospital