Coronavirus York updates; 18th April 2021

Deaths

There have been no further deaths announced by the York Hospital Trust today.

Nationwide, only 9 fatalities have been announced – the lowest figure this year.

Test results

Seven additional positive test results were announced today, Brings the total up to 12,192.

The number of cases in the City has increased by 5 to 31.

The rate /100k population figure has increased to 14.72. That is the highest level for 2 weeks. No further increases are forecast over the next few days.

Neighbourhoods

Four neighbourhoods now have three or more cases

Vaccinations

64% of the over 18 age group in the Yorkshire/NE region have now received their first vaccination.

20.3% have received their second dose.

Tests

3789 PCR tests were carried during the week ending 13th April 2021.

Of these, 0.7% were positive. This is higher than the 0.6% recorded the previous day.

In addition 989 “lateral flow” tests were conducted on 17th April.

House sales buoyant in York but uncertain future

It seems that the unmet demand for new homes – which built up during lockdown – has resulted in high demand and rising prices in York. The City has been named as one of “the” places to live in a succession of media surveys and that is one of the reasons for some sections of the housing market – in some neighbourhoods – are seeing a lot of activity.

It is a market that the York Council may be eager to exploit. It has several new developments in the pipeline including the huge York Central site, Duncombe Barracks, Castle Mills, Lowfields and the Burnholme Hub.

The latter two illustrate some of the challenges.

Lowfields

Neighbours of the Lowfield Green site have never been happy with what they view as an overdevelopment. A sports field will be built on without any compensatory public open space being provided.

But it is the pace of development, which is one of the current major concerns.

An FOI response has revealed that the Yorspace communal housing group have still not completed the purchase of their allocated plot (located in the south east corner of the development).

The site was used as a location for a spoil heap for about six months and the subsequent removal of this remains the only work completed in the immediate area.

Residents were promised that – from start to completion – the project would take a maximum of 3 years. A long time to suffer the drone of nearby heavy plant and increased traffic, but nevertheless the promise provided light at the end of the tunnel for neighbours.

It is 18 months since the builders arrived. So far there has been no progress on providing any community facilities or the promised retirement home.

Prospective purchasers are likely to be discouraged by the prospect of living on a building site for several more years.

More information can be found on the residents action group Facebook page

Burnholme

See the source imageA similar situation could arise at Burnholme. As explained last week, a planning application for this development will be determined on Wednesday.

The background has changed over recent days with anti-social behaviour problems escalating at the nearby Derwenthorpe development and within the Burnholme Hub itself.

We understand that the library has been a recent target for vandals.

All in all, that suggests a rethink of security across the whole neighbourhood is needed.

Expecting new residents to park their cars at remote locations simply adds to the risks.

Latest planning applications for the Westfield Ward

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference.

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Acomb Bowling Club Front Street York

Condition 6 of 18/00586/FULM 

Ref. No: AOD/21/00100 

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95 Chapelfields Road York YO26 5AB

Single storey side and rear extension 

Ref. No: 21/00782/FUL 

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37 St Stephens Road York YO24 3EH

Two storey side extension 

Ref. No: 21/00682/FUL 

Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning online web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

The Council does not routinely consult neighbours by letter when an application is received