Have your say on York’s future housing, jobs and growth

Residents, businesses, developers and landowners are being encouraged to help shape one of the most important strategies of our generation, by having their say on the Local Plan sites consultation.

City of York Council is currently preparing York’s Local Plan, which will support the city’s economic growth, protect York’s green belt, address the shortage of housing and help shape future development and employment in York over the next 15 years and beyond.

The eight-week consultation runs from Monday 18 July until 5pm on Monday 12 September on the Local Plan Preferred Sites document, which outlines revised figures for housing, employment and sites.

The council has provided a choice of ways for people to have their say, including joining officers at a number of drop-in events across the city, where they will be on hand to help answer any questions:

Acomb Explore Library

3 August – West Offices
9 August – Osbaldwick Sports Centre
11 August – Dunnington Reading Room
16 August – York Sport
18 August – Acomb Explore Library
24 August – Tesco Tadcaster Road
24 August – Oaken Grove Community Centre, Haxby

The proposals include several controversial proposals including a plan to overdevelop the Lowfields school site.

On the other hand the Plan would safeguard land lying between the Westfield ward and the northern by pass from the threat of development

Football gala at Lowfields playing fields. The latest plan threaten to build on the green spaces in the area.

Football gala at Lowfields playing fields. The latest plans threaten to build on this green space.

From next week, every household in York is being sent a copy of a special edition of the council’s newsletter Our City, which provides lots of ways they can feedback during the consultation, including a freepost address.

For further opportunities to feedback, or to find out more information:

Go online: www.york.gov.uk/localplan to complete the survey and to find a full copy of the Local Plan Preferred Sites document

Pop into: any of York’s local libraries/Explore centres or the council’s West Offices to see the proposals throughout the consultation period

Email: localplan@york.gov.uk

Telephone: 01904 552255

Get involved: on Twitter @CityofYork or Facebook @CityofYorkCouncil via the hashtag #YorkLocalPlan

Write to:

Freepost RTEG-TYYU-KLTZ, Local Plan, City of York Council, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA

To find out more about the Local Plan proposals read our news article here

Executive snubs Lowfields residents

The York Council is to consult residents on a plan to build on most of the former Lowfields school site.

Former Lowfields School entrance

Last night members of the committee and officials refused to acknowledge the concerns about the plan which were tabled by local Councillor Andrew Waller.

The committee had been told of the results of a survey undertaken in the area over the last week (see foot of page).

The survey results – covering over 300 households – revealed that the community was dismayed at some of the remarks contained in an officer report.

In particular:

Labour first suggested building on football pitches in 2012

Labour Councillors first considered building on the football pitches in 2012.

The suggestion that any development should be “piecemeal”. Residents have no desire to see construction traffic accessing the site over an extended period of time and are fearful that the maintenance standards that will apply to any undeveloped plots will be inadequate. They want to see an early completion of the whole of the site
The inclusion of any “hospital”, police depot or GP surgery all of which would have an impact on 24/7 traffic volumes, put more pressure on parking spaces and bring noise and disturbance to what is otherwise an entirely residential area. Residents say that any “hub” facilities – such as a police desk – should be located at the Library on Front Street (where there is adequate expansion potential to the rear of the existing buildings)
The reduction in open space to less than ½ the area of a football pitch is unacceptable. Residents want green space and want part of it to be allocated as a site for a nature reserve (lack of maintenance had de facto already effectively turned parts of the site into a wild life area over the last decade). Several have said that they would like to see a play park established.
Building high density houses would exacerbate parking problems. Such problems are acute at the quoted paradigm comparator location (the top of Tedder Road). Bungalows and older persons (downsizing) apartments would be more acceptable as the number of vehicles owned by occupants of this type of property is likely to be low,

Many residents say that they hoped that the Council would agree to honour its historic commitment to the local community and restrict development to a 6.5 acre site.

The Drop that Contained the Sea (with free Tin Talk)

York Barbican :

Sat 16 Jul : 7.30pm :

Tickets £22.50 | £18 | £8 + booking fee

Double GRAMMY winner Christopher Tin with Prima Vocal Ensemble , Angel City Chorale and the Mowbray Orchestra will give the European premiere of ‘The Drop That Contained The Sea’.

‘The Drop That Contained the Sea’ is a song cycle sung in 10 languages, weaving together poems and prayers about water from different cultures. It has a unique concept: it follows a single drop of water as it weaves its way through the world, from clouds to snow, rivers to oceans, culminating in an explosive rainmaking prayer.

It’s a musical travelogue of vocal traditions from around the world, including African gospel, Portuguese fado, Mongolian throat singing, and more – all with a thrilling orchestral accompaniment.

There will also be a chance to MEET THE COMPOSER and a FREE Pre-Concert Talk, at 6.00pm – 7.00pm, please book via email:prima@gemmusic.co.uk

The concert is in support of ‘Jessie’s Fund’ a local charity helping children through music whose patron was the late Victoria Wood. For more information please visit www.jessiesfund.org.uk

Tickets £22.50 | £18 | £8 + booking fee
**Buy 10 for £15.84 pp + bkg fee
Booking Line: 0844 854 2757

There will be no booking fees if paid in cash at York Barbican box office, Paragon St, YO10 4AH. Box office open 10am – 2pm
and from 5pm on concert days. Or visit our website www.yorkbarbican.co.uk