Latest planning applications for the Acomb and Westfield Wards

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb and Westfield wards.

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Acomb

Location: 17 Cranbrook Avenue York YO26 5JD

Proposal: Single storey rear extension and alterations to roof

Ref No: 15/02086/FUL

Applicant: Mr And Mrs Sharp Contact: Mrs Kate Macneill Consultation Expiry Date: 12 October 2015 Case Officer: Sandra Duffill Expected Decision Level: DEL

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Westfield

None

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Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site. http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received

Local Plan: “New” housing land figures released

The York Council has released what it claims are new figures intended to quantify the demand for housing development land in York.

The most recent Office of National Statistics population forecasts for the City show a marked reduction compared to the assumptions used when Labour published their version of the Local Plan three years ago.

Their plan to build 23,400 additional homes, mainly to accommodate foreign immigration demand (see table 5), prompted a “Big City or Our City” debate at the last local elections in May 2015. Labour’s ideas were rejected at that poll and the expectation is that the York Council will revert to a more reasonable annual building target of around 575 homes per year

Population increase drivers. Click to enlarge

Population growth forecasts, produced by the Office of National Statistics (ONS), have reduced dramatically in recent months. They currently show the City’s population growing from 203,000 to 224,000 (approx 21,000 people) between 2012 and 2031.

With an average of 2.2 people residing at each dwelling, that is equivalent to a requirement for about 500 additional homes each year. To this should be added an assumption about economic growth (which generates additional housing demand)

The new report will come as a disappointment to many. It fails to examine the capacity of the City to absorb growth without fundamental damage to its character.

The jargon littered papers conclude that 758 additional homes are required each year.

The report does make some progress on two issues:

It accepts that there is a 5 year supply of land available to satisfy immediate housing demand requirements. The list of sites considered to be available (most already have planning permission) can be found by clicking here
Officials now accept that part – around 140 additional homes pa – of the housing demand will be satisfied from “windfall” opportunities. These are sites which the Local Plan either does not schedule for housing or a combination of very small sites. Most of the planning permissions granted in recent years have been for windfall sites not identified in the 2013 Plan.

The Council seems still to be some way from finding its way through a mass of contradictory evidence.

Had Enough!’ code of conduct shared in bars and railway

Bars, restaurants and clubs across York city centre have been visited by police and council licensing officers who have distributed and discussed the code of conduct. Also, train operating companies and British Transport Police have shared the code with people travelling to York.

This is the next phase in a drive to clamp down on alcohol-related anti-social behaviour caused by a minority but which impacts on the enjoyment of the majority. It forms part of work by the new partnership of City of York Council, North Yorkshire Police (NYP) and British Transport Police (BTP), train operating companies, York Racecourse and city centre licensed premises, as well as Make It York and York Bid.

There are two codes in operation: one handed out to railway users and another posted in licensed premises in York city centre.

The codes state that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated on the train or the station, in the street or in licensed premises. It says York’s city centre licensed premises have agreed not to allow inflatables, language or fancy dress which are considered offensive or inappropriate. They state they will not admit large groups (only at the licence holder’s discretion) or people they believe to be drunk. They won’t allow alcohol to be drunk that has not been purchased on the premises and will not tolerate anti-social behaviour. The code also makes it clear that details of anyone who is refused entry or asked to leave will be shared with other licensed premises and the police.