Latest planning applications for the Acomb and Westfield Wards

Lidl Thanet RoadLidl store to open from 7:00am to 10:00pm, 7 days a week

 Currently the store is open between 8:00am and 10:00pm except on Sundays when the hours are 10:00am to 4:00pm

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

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Acomb

Location:       54 Cranbrook Road York YO26 5JA

Proposal:       Single storey rear extension and dormer to side

Ref No: 15/01858/FUL

Applicant:      Mr And Mrs Ward Contact:        Mr Jake Clay    Consultation Expiry Date:       19 October 2015 Case Officer:   David Johnson   Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       17 Knapton Lane York YO26 5PX

Proposal:       Single storey side extension and replacement roof to existing rear extension

Ref No: 15/02057/FUL

Applicant:      Miss Jeannie Freeman    Contact:        Mr Robert Peacock       Consultation Expiry Date:       19 October 2015 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Westfield

Location:       Lidl Thanet Road York YO24 4PE

Proposal:       Variation of condition 22 of permitted application 09/02284/FULM to alter opening hours to between 07.00-22.00 Monday-Sunday

Ref No: 15/02165/FULM

Applicant:      Lidl UK GmbH    Contact Mr Nick Scott   Consultation Expiry Date        19 October 2015 Case Officer:   Victoria Bell   Expected Decision Level DEL

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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

Drugs and housing – mixed messages

Two Councillors were using the media to tell the York Council what it should be doing last week. One was right, the other wrong.

Drugs

One commentator hit the nail of the head. She said that the scale of drug abuse problems in the city should be more generally understood.

She was right to do so.  drug-misuse_blackpool

While local police officers often conduct high profile drugs raids, the level of reports – for what some regard as a victim less crime – almost certainly disguises the real level of abuse.

Crime stats reveal that only 202 drug related crime reports were made in the City during the year ending in July. This was 2.8% of the total crimes reported.

This compares to 3510 reports of “anti social behaviour” during the same period.

Anecdotal evidence paints a different picture.

York’s public toilets are frequently misused by drug users who leave their paraphernalia lying around. This poses a threat to other users and to cleaning staff.

So more candour about drug related issues is needed.

Newbury Avenue

A snide contribution from a Heworth Ward Councillor claimed that the development of flats on the Newbury Avenue garage site should go ahead immediately.

Cars parked on grassed amenity area in Windsor Garth

Cars parked on grassed amenity area in Windsor Garth

She clearly had little knowledge of the scale of problems already evident in the area mainly as a result of the late running development of the Our Lady’s school site.

Acute parking problems and traffic issues have been exacerbated by the development while road surfaces – and in particular the speed tables – have been badly damaged.

Some residents are now resorting to parking on grassed amenity areas (see photo right) while the Council still refuses to release much needed estate improvement funding  to the area “because to doesn’t have a residents association”.

The Council is right to pause any additional building work in the area at least until it sorts out existing issues with public services.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority – York’s share of costs benefits revealed

A Freedom of Information response has revealed the amount that York has paid into the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, as well as the claimed benefits.

Last year, York paid £21,645 as its share of the cost of the “Your next Bus” project which we commented on a few weeks ago.  The City is due to pay another £21,645 this year towards the project.

smart ticketing

smart ticketing

 It is unclear when this new bus tracking system will be operational.

The WYCA also claims to have spent £318,149 on “smart bus ticketing” in the York area.  This was funded by central government grant and should lead to the extended use of cashless payment options for bus travel.  Again it is unclear when this option will be widely available in the City.

York is also due to pay £48,486 to the WYCA this year as its share of the Leeds Region Local Enterprise Partnership costs.

Benefits are expected to include participation in an “Apprentice Hub” programme and an employer ownership pilot.

The WYCA had a (largely inherited) pension liability of over £68 million at the end of the last financial year. It currently admits a total deficit on its reserves of £33 million but has a working balance of £7.9 million. It is not known whether, under devolution proposals, York will remain a participant in the WYCA.

NB. Over £150,000 a year in “special responsibility payments” are being claimed by Councillors serving on WYCA committees although these area not highlighted in the annual figures published by the York Council. All WYCA members receive a basic allowance of £4500 a year

What’s on: York Jobs Fair 2015

Tues 29 Sept

jobs-15_376x188 (1)

Our last jobs fair in March was a huge success and our biggest to date, with over 70 employers and training providers speaking to 1,100 hopeful empolyees.

We’re excited to tell you that our next Jobs Fair will be held on Tuesday 29th September 2015 at York Railway Institute. If you would like to stay up to date with the Jobs Fair, follow us on Facebook Facebook.

York Jobs Fair is a FREE event bringing employers, employment support agencies and education and training providers together to offer local people job opportunities, information and advice.

You can benefit from meeting employers face-to-face and find out more about jobs, retraining and improving your skills and qualifications.