What’s on in York: Sky Ride Local from Energise?

Sky rideCity of York Council is encouraging residents who have been inspired by a summer of sport and want to take on a challenge to get out and about on their bikes and explore York and the surrounding area on a free Sky Ride Local challenge ride.

British Cycling and Sky, in partnership with City of York Council, have scheduled a series of Sky Ride Local rides in York for 2016. The rides are guided by British Cycling Ride Leaders along scenic local routes and pitched at three different levels.

The first challenge ride will set off from Energise Leisure Centre on Sunday 7 August at 10am. The 23 mile ride will follow a circular route taking in Tadcaster and Bolton Percy.

More challenge rides will take place on:Cyclists and yellow flowers

  • 14 August – Energise Leisure Centre – challenging (23 miles)
  • 21 August – Energise Leisure Centre – challenging (23 miles)

Further rides will cater for complete beginners with easy going rides and medium rides allowing people to find a ride that suits their ability.

Breeze Women’s only lead rides also take place regularly in and around York for all abilities and with Ride Social ‘Britain’s biggest social cycling network’, there has never been more opportunities to get riding!

To register for a free guided bike ride, to see the full calendar of up and coming rides or find out more about getting into cycling, visit:www.goskyride.com/York
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Work on new purpose-built accommodation for older people starts

Work to extend a popular Sheltered Housing Scheme with Extra Care Facilities has started.

PAY--Glen-Lodge-nursing-home-in-York-where-Pamela-Hudson-75-was-allegedly-bitten-by-a-ratThe initiative will see 25 one-bed apartments and two bungalows added to the existing site at City of York Council’s in-demand Glen Lodge facility. The project is part of the council’s plans to modernise accommodation for older people in the city, giving them more choice and control about the care and support they receive.

The Glen Lodge extension has been designed to provide ‘dementia ready’ accommodation, allowing people with dementia to continue to live independently in their own home, safely and sociably. The apartments and bungalows will be built alongside communal lounges, a landscaped garden and other facilities.

The £4.1m scheme is supported by a £850,500 grant from the Homes & Communities Agency.

The extension is the second phase of improvement work at Glen Lodge, which saw the help and support available to residents – known as ‘extra care’ – become available 24 hours a day, seven days a week earlier this year, making it easier for people with higher care and support needs to live at Glen Lodge.

With York’s population of people aged 75 and older expected to rise by 50 per cent by 2030, and with the popularity and quality of its current provision at Glen Lodge and extra care services at Auden House, these new plans are part of a city-wide scheme to modernise accommodation for older people.
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Developer eyes land next to Chapelfields

Chapelfields developmentAccording to papers seen by Ward Councillors, a developer is  still hoping to build on land at the top of Grange Lane. The news came only days after the Council announced that all existing Green Belt land lying between the built up area and the A1237 northern bypass would continue to be protected.

The confirmation of the existing Green Belt boundaries was made possible after the LibDems identified sufficient “brownfield” (previously developed) land to meet housing needs for the foreseeable future.

In total around 12,000 additional homes will be provided over the next 20 years under the new Local Plan

It means that building works will be concentrated on sites like the rear of the railway station.

However developers can appeal against this decision and they may have the support of the Labour party which originally tabled proposals which would have seen the City increase in size by 25%.

Local Councillor Andrew Waller has criticised the Grange Lane plans.

Aug 2016 Find out more Local Plan“Development on this site would exacerbate traffic problems in the area which are already acute at school arrival and leaving times. 

The fields between Chapelfields and the ring road provide a soft boundary between the open countryside and  the City and include some informal recreational walks.

They shouldn’t be sacrificed so a private individual can make a quick profit”.

“I hope that residents will write to the Council supporting the existing Green Belt boundaries”. 

Response forms are available on the Council’s website (www.york.gov.uk/localplan ) or are available from the Council’s West Offices reception or from Acomb library.

 

Taxpayers invited to view how their £12 million will be spent on York Guildhall complex

Residents are being invited to view the latest designs and plans outlining the potential for the Guildhall complex to become a “state of the art venue for business” at an event on Wednesday 3 August.

The Guildhall will open its doors between 11am and 2pm on Wednesday and will welcome views from residents on the latest designs. At the event

77% increase in Guildhall hire cost

residents will also be able to meet the Project Manager who will be on hand to provide more information about the scheme and answer any questions.

The event follows proposals for the riverside complex being approved by Executive last month. The plans look to transform the Guildhall complex and ensure the future viability of one of York’s most significant buildings through the creation of a vibrant business and civic venue, with supporting commercial development on the riverside, maximising its economic use, heritage appeal and public access.

Tory Councillor Chris Steward who has presided over the escalating costs of a project that he inherited from Labour, said:

“The Guildhall complex is one of York’s most iconic buildings and these plans look to transform it from an underused asset to a unique venue for business which will bring significant economic benefit to the city of over £66m in Gross Value Added.

“We welcome the views of residents on this scheme and hope they take the chance to see the proposals, meet the team and comment on detailed proposals outlining the future of York’s historic Guildhall.”

A detailed business case will be taken to Executive and Full Council in February 2017 and if approved the work is expected to start mid 2017 with a completion by autumn 2018. Plans will continue to see the council retaining the use of the council chamber for Full Council meetings and the Guildhall for key civic and public events.