Secret land deal at “Lowfields Green”

The Council has revealed that it has done a deal to sell 0.74 acres of land to Yorspace at the Lowfield school site.

The land is located next to Tudor Road and is expected to accommodate a high-density development of 19 houses and flats. The communal living style model involves people purchasing shares in a “Mutual Home Ownership Society”.

A report, made public only after a decision had been taken says, “It is a high-density development, to reflect its sustainable objectives, and will also include a community building which can be used for events, as well as some shared outdoor communal areas and growing spaces. As part of the groups green objectives, they are aiming for around 1-1.5 parking spaces per house. The site will be constructed using a variety of environmentally friendly materials and processes, possibly including straw bale and solar”.

The report also says, “As part of the agreement they may also take on the management of the growing spaces and some green areas of the Lowfield site and will run them for the wider community’s benefit”.

The council is refusing to say how much the land will be sold for nor will it say what the market value of the land is.

It is clear that a substantial discount has been negotiated.

It appears that the Council is not stipulating that the plots should be reserved for use by local people with a proven need for cheap accommodation (e.g. on the housing waiting list &/or key workers).

Yorspace plans

The Council has already changed its plans for the relocation of the football team which currently uses the Lowfields playing field.

In December, they were supposed to be relocated to Tadcaster Road. Last month the Council said they were considering fencing off Chesneys Field to accommodate them.

That announcement produced a barrage of opposition from the current users of Chesneys Field.

Residents opposed fencing the public open space by a ratio of 3:1 in a recent door to door survey.

The decision to sell off the land to Yorspace was taken last week by the Councils Director of Health, Housing and Adult Social Care (Jon Stonehouse), at a private, behind closed doors, meeting.

There was no consultation with affected residents before the meeting was held.

New book launched; York – A City Under Siege

Author John Gears has published a new book about life in the City during the great siege of 1644.

He writes; The Book seeks to introduce the reader to the Hardships and Horrors endured by the Citizens of the City whilst being besieged by three Parliamentarian Armies from April 1644 until after the terrors of the Battle of Marston Moor when in mid-July the Governor of York after much haggling for better terms, finally surrendered the City to the Parliamentary Armies under Lord Halifax.

“Palls of smoke clog the air, Parliamentary and Scottish Armies are relentlessly bombarding York’s defence’s
Cannon pound the City centre.

York’s defenders have withdrawn inside the great stone walls, where hardship and heartbreak are part of daily life for the beleaguered citizens. Suburbs are burning, City Walls are breeched, but attackers are repelled, the besiegers seized some livestock.

Courage and tenacity, along with surprising acts of kindness and compassion are witnessed both within the City
and on the Battlefield.

Survival becomes the only goal for ordinary people, living extraordinary times”.

THE BRUTALITY OF THE ENSUING BATTLE WILL REVERBERATE DOWN THROUGH THE AGES.

Anyone who wishes to obtain a copy of the book, may do so on line at :- www.yps-publishiing.co.uk or by telephone at York Publishing Services Ltd. on 01904 431213. The Book is “YORK – A City Under Siege -1644”. The retail cost is £8-99

UK’s newest electric double decker bus arrives in York

A landmark moment has been celebrated in York today (14 August) as it has become the first UK city outside London to trial a new fully electric double decker bus.

It comes 102 years after the City first pioneered electric buses on a regular service route.

Single deck electric buses were next trialled on the Fulford park and ride service in 2010 and have since become a regular feature on the Poppleton and Monks Cross shuttles as well as the off peak 500 service to Woodthorpe.

Electric Park and Ride bus

Early services hit a setback 2 years ago when an electric bus caught fire in the City centre

Representatives from City of York Council, First York and local bus manufacturer, Optare welcomed the arrival of the first “Metrodecker EV” in York today, which will be trialled on the York Park & Ride network and selected city routes over the next month.

The zero-emission and fully electric bus has the capacity to carry 99 passengers and has a range of nearly 150 miles from one overnight charge. The new vehicle is being trialled in York following the recent announcement that improvements will be made to the city’s already successful Park & Ride scheme. It was promised that new ‘greener’ buses would be introduced to improve fuel emissions citywide, placing York’s Park & Ride as one of the most sustainable and efficient in the country.

Speaking about the trial, Councillor Ian Gillies, executive member for transport at City of York Council, said: “I’m delighted to welcome this new addition to York’s green public transport fleet. There will be at least three electric double-deckers among the 14 electric buses on our Park & Ride routes.

“These Park & Ride buses will play a major role in continuing to improve the air quality in York, as well as giving an increasing number of passengers a safe, quick journey across the city.”

In March 1915 York Corporation Tramways Department was one of the very first operators in the country to use electric buses and to this day, there are still two relics of this pioneering form of transport in the City – the shelters at Clifton Green and Malton Road Corner, which were built as charging points for the buses

Marc Bichtemann, Managing Director at First York, adds: “This is another milestone to celebrate in what is already a thriving Park & Ride scheme in York. As one of the UK’s major bus operators, we understand the vital role we play in helping to solve the air quality challenge facing the country and I’m thrilled to welcome the trial of the future of bus travel to York today.

Councillor Andrew Waller, executive member for the environment at City of York Council, said:

“This innovation is very welcome to improve air quality in York. The bus was on display at the One Planet York Conference in June and it is great to see locally built buses on the streets of York.”

Optare unveiled its long-awaited zero-emission Metrodecker EV in 2016, and with its range projected to rise to 200 miles on a single charge within a year the manufacturer has signalled a move away from its previous mid-day charging strategy.

Robert Drewery, Commercial Director, Optare added: ‘After the success of the Optare electric buses currently operating in York, we are thrilled to be trialling the first fully electric Optare double deck in the City. We see this as a breakthrough in public transport and look forward to seeing these vehicles in operation across the country, improving air quality in our towns and cities.”

For more information on York’s Park & Ride visit https://www.itravelyork.info/park-and-ride

What’s on in York: Cats Protection League Fun Talk

Poppleton Library :

Wed 16 Aug

10.30am – 11.30am :

Free

Are you crazy about cats? We will have Kirsty-Lou from the Cats Protection League who can tell you all about our furry friends. This will be a fun event where you will find out lots of things you didn’t know about cats and you will even get a goody bag to take home.

Free but booking essential.

This event is suitable for 3-12 years old.

Booking is in person through any Explore York Library or by telephone at York Explore Library on (01904) 552828 or Acomb Explore Library on (01904) 552651.

Also at Huntington Library : Fri 25 Aug : 10.30am – 11.30am

What’s on in York: Unicorns at Acomb Explore Library on Wednesday