Grove House on the market next month

May be demolished later in the year

Grove House

Grove House

Following our story yesterday, it has emerged that the former elderly persons home at Grove House could be placed on the open market for sale as soon as next month.

The property is currently empty.

Council officials are saying though, because planning permission will be needed if, as  expected, houses are to be built on the site, it could be the middle of 2017 before redevelopment work starts.

The Council may decide to demolish the buildings in the interim.

Coppergate traffic restrictions to be re-introduced?

It looks like the York Council will be considering reintroducing traffic restrictions on Coppergate at a meeting taking place on 30th June.

The restrictions were effectively suspended following a legal decision that they were not properly signed and that the use of ANPR  enforcement cameras was therefore unlawful.

Coppergate - Time to move on

Coppergate – Time to move on

The Council had to agree to repay fines of over £385,000.

 Since the legal ruling, restriction signs have remained in place but the cameras remain switched off. The police have not been enforcing restrictions because of the uncertain legal position.

Most observers feel that the present situation – where the access restrictions are effectively advisory – probably represents a step forward and many will resist any further tinkering by the York Council.

North Yorkshire Police launch Community Messaging service

North Yorkshire Community Messaging is a free community messaging system that allows residents to register to receive the latest Community messagingcrime notifications and community news happening in their local neighbourhood.

North Yorkshire Community Messaging allows residents to decide when and how they are kept informed about the issues that matter to them:

  • Choose your interests: Crime and Other Police Incidents, Rural Policing, Anti-Social Behaviour, Road Safety, Neighbourhood News and Events
  • Choose how to receive your alerts: Phone, email, text message or mobile app (launching soon)!
  • By area(s): School, home, places of work, elderly relatives

Registering for North Yorkshire Community Messaging is Safe, Secure and Easy – Just click  ‘Join‘  and follow the step by step instructions.

The North Yorkshire Police have been under fire for failing to keep their social media channels updated during recent months.

This seems to us to be a worthwhile initiative which we hope will improve communications with residents

Guildhall future

A July deadline has been set for the publication of detailed design, project costs and lease / financing proposals for the Guildhall.

The complex has been largely unused for over 2 years now.

York Guildhall

York Guildhall

The current plans involve refurbishment and part redevelopment of the Guildhall complex.

Ongoing use of the Council chamber – by the Council – has been agreed, but the proposals also involve the “creation of a business club, serviced office venue and associated cafe / restaurant units”.

The retention of public access to the historic parts of the site has been generally welcomed.

However, the failure of the new coalition administration, 12 months ago, to seek open market interest in the modern part of the site has led to widespread concern.

An opportunity it to maximise income by providing residential accommodation on the site appears to have been lost.

 Taxpayers therefore still face a potential bill of up to £7 million.

Residents will be hoping that the final proposals will eliminate this subsidy and transfer any risk to commercial developers