New Year Nordic Walking sessions in York

nordic-walkingCity of York Council is offering residents the chance to take up a new activity to start the New Year with the latest Learn to Nordic Walk courses in Rowntree Park starting in January 2017.

The council’s latest Nordic Walking course starts on Friday 13 January, and sessions will take place every Friday for four weeks from 11.30am until 12.30pm, meeting at the Rowntree Park Reading Café.

At the end of the course participants will receive a Nordic Walking UK Freedom Card, which will enable them to attend Nordic Walking groups anywhere in the UK, including several in the York area. The cost of the course is £25, and booking is essential as places are limited.

Nordic Walking – walking with the aid of long poles – is currently one of the fastest-growing exercise activities in the UK. Originally developed from cross-country skiing, it is a gentle exercise, but burns 40 per cent more calories than ordinary walking and works 90 per cent of the body’s muscles. It is a safe and effective method of exercise for people of all fitness levels, and is perfect for those wanting to lose weight.

All equipment will be provided although participants should wear comfortable clothes and sturdy footwear.

For further information or to book a place please call City of York Council’s Public Health team on 01904 553377 or email yorwellbeing@york.gov.uk.

Councillor Nigel Ayre, City of York Council’s Executive Member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “This is a great opportunity for residents to start the New Year by taking up a new activity and having fun whilst getting fitter. Over the past few years Nordic Walking has grown in popularity as a fun way to keep fit. It is a great activity, which people of all ages can enjoy and can be a brilliant way for people to take in the spectacular views York has to offer. Hopefully people take the chance to take part in this course, which is open to people of all ages.”

Bat concern set to stop Mayfield Grove development

5-mayfield-groveA plan to build 3 additional homes on Mayfield Grove will be considered by the Council’s planning committee when it meets on 5th January 2017.

The application is recommended for refusal

The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of three dwellings on a 0.06ha plot at the eastern end of Mayfield Grove.

The proposed houses would replace an existing bungalow located towards the front of the site at 5 Mayfield Grove with its main garden to the rear. There would be a semi-detached pair of 3 bedroom dwellings at the front of the site on the footprint of the existing bungalow and a single detached 2 bedroom bungalow to the rear.

Vehicle access would be from Mayfield Grove, via newly created parking areas and private driveway to the rear property.

Several objections to the development were received because of concerns about over-development but the key concern is the absence of a bat scoping survey of the existing buildings on the site.

The Committee will also consider several other planning applications

Erection of dwelling following demolition of existing bungalow

Erection of a terrace of 3no. dwellings on land previously used as car park to the south of the existing building

Erection of 1no. dwelling to land to side of 4 Whitby Avenue

Extension to existing building to create additional office accommodation on first and second floors above rear ground floor parking area, including demolition of existing garage

Change of use of dwelling (use class C3) to House in Multiple Occupation (use class C4)

Single storey rear extension

Two storey rear extension, single storey side and rear extensions, hip to gable roof extension and dormer to rear