Andrew Waller to fight Westfield by election for LibDems

2011 runner up needs just 139 extra votes to win critical seat

Andrew Waller head and shoulders

Former Council Leader and long term Westfield Ward representative, Andrew Waller is the Liberal Democrat choice to contest the Westfield ward by election on Thursday 16th October.

A vacancy was caused by the recent death of Cllr Lynn Jeffries.

The impact of the election is likely to be felt far beyond the boundaries of the Westfield ward with the Council currently tied.

23 Labour Councillors face 23 opposition party representatives since another Councillor quit the Labour Group last week.

Who ever wins the by election will influence whether Labour regain an overall majority or whether opposition groups – when they vote together – will be able to defeat them.

There has been some speculation that a LibDem win would mean the Councils Cabinet being restructured to ensure that all parties have a seat round the table.

In 2011 Andrew Waller came within 140 votes of retaining the seat which had previously been held by the Liberal Democrats.

Andrew, 45, was councillor for the ward until May 2011. Since then he has kept in touch with people issuing a regular FOCUS newsletter. He has kept working for the local community and recently completed a 6000 household doorstep public opinion survey.

Andrew lives in the heart of the ward on Askham Lane, and is Treasurer of Chapelfields Community Association (which runs Sanderson House Community Centre), and a School Governor at both the Westfield Primary and York High Schools.

He has worked for Rowntrees and Great North Eastern Railway in the past.

He jointly set up the Acomb Traders Association (Acomb Alive!) which promotes business in the Front Street shopping area.

He has campaigned on local services, including protecting community centres, and Energise Sports Centre.

A keen cyclist, he is often spotted in his distinctive yellow jacket around the ward recording problems that need sorting out.

A fuller biography is available by clicking here

Votes per party AW

Fears for childrens safety as service standards wobble

Thorn bush overhanging public footpath

Thorn bush overhanging public footpath

Snickets are often a source of concern to both users and neighbouring property owners.

None less so that that linking Parker Avenue to Grange Lane.

Often problems are reported there with graffiti, litter, weeds and vandalism to boundary fences.

Today we have had to report a badly overgrown rose bush which is almost blocking the footpath. The thorns are a particular hazard for young children who may be wheeled past in prams.

We hope that the Council will act quickly to have the bush cut back

Grange Lane play area

Grange Lane play area

Meanwhile the Grange Lane play area is once again the subject of litter and dog fouling. The swings have also been vandalised.

The playground really does need a fence round it to prevent access by dogs and to stop litter drift.

It should become a “poop scoop” area with proper enforcement.

Again an issue overdue for Council attention.

 

 

Hob Moor nature reserve being dug up

Farmer forced to remove cattle from nature reserveOLS and sewer connection (2)

Work is taking place on Hob Moor to install a new drain. The system will serve the new development on the former Our Lady’s school site.

It is understood that the work has forced a farmer to remove his cattle from the moor.

The development has always been unpopular with many as it was almost twice the size originally envisaged.

In addition the impact on traffic in the area is expected to be significant with many fearing that lack of parking space could cripple the estate. Already narrow roads like Ashford Place and Ascot Way are bearing the brunt of  noise and vibration. from construction traffic.

However concerns about the Hob Moor nature reserve have been ignored by the Labour dominated planning committee when the developer has come back with several requests for modifications to their plans.

We understand that concerns have been raised with English Nature

Inadequate drainage in the area was one concern which led to a significant change to the site height about a month ago

 

Latest Planning applications Acomb and Westfield Wards

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb and Westfield wards.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

—————

Acomb

Location:       2 Almsford Drive York YO26 5NS

Proposal:       Single storey side extension

Ref No: 14/02046/FUL

Contact:        Mr Andy Sykes   Consultation Expiry Date:       6 October 2014 Case Officer:   Sandra Duffill  Expected Decision Level:        DEL

—————-

Location:       David Dowley Ltd 50 York Road Acomb York YO24 4LZ

Proposal:       Proposed change of use of from offices to 5no. flats (use class C3) under Class J Part 3 Schedule 2 of Article 3 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995

Ref No: 14/02000/ORC

Applicant:      High Point Estates Ltd  Contact:        Mr Peter Maloney        Consultation Expiry Date:       29 September 2014 Case Officer:   Clare Davies    Expected Decision Level:        DEL

————-

 Westfield

Location:       127 St Stephens Road York YO24 3EE

Proposal:       Removal of condition 7 of permitted application 12/01785/FUL to install soakaway for drainage (retrospective)

Ref No: 14/01998/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Mark Newton  Contact Mr Kevin Bristowe       Consultation Expiry Date        29 September 2014 Case Officer:   Victoria Bell   Expected Decision Level DEL

————-

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

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

New project creates a lasting legacy for York’s Normandy veterans

To mark 70 years since the D-Day landings in Normandy, Explore York Libraries and Archives is collecting memories from members of the York Normandy Veterans Association, as part of the York: Gateway to History project, which has been supported with a £1,574,200 Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) grant.

In June, the York Veterans joined others from across the country to gather in Normandy and attend memorial services for those lost during the Second World War. The visit brought back memories of friends and family lost, but it also sparked concern about their wartime archive collections and the legacy they leave behind.
(more…)

Traveller (Gypsy) and Showmans Yard York locations revealed

Proposed traveller site on Wetherby Road

Proposed traveller site on Wetherby Road

Despite a crude attempt by the Council to disguise their true intentions it has become clear that the site for a duplex 30 pitch traveller (gypsy) caravan site is on Wetherby Road. Ref GT1 on the above map.

Local Plan extract click to access

Local Plan extract click to access

The Council referred to the location as “Moor Lane”.

The site is located halfway between the edge of the City and Rufforth and is near the Harewood Whin waste disposal site.

It is the field that was to have become a salvage and reuse centre when the Beckfield Lane recycling centre closed. That project was jettisoned by the Council’s Labour administration in 2012 and it is now clear that they had other plans for the area.

Many residents will be concerned that there has been no consultation about these proposals which were omitted from last years document.

In the revised Local Plan the proposed “Showman’s Yard” site has been moved from Wetherby Road to Elvington with a note added saying that any other capacity could  be provided on industrial estates.

 

New Local Plan

Labour have revealed that 2 new Gypsy (Traveller) sites will be established during the next 5 years on land described by the Council as being located between the A1237 (Moor Lane) and the  Rufforth (B1224).

More transparently it is located about halfway between the York boundary and Rufforth on Wetherby Road

There will be a total of 30 pitches at the sites.

These sites were not subject to consultation last year and  seem to have appeared out of the blue.

Copies of the new Plan can be downloaded by clicking here

 

 

 

Labour still planning population growth of 40,000 in York over next 15 years.

5000 homes lopped from Local Plan following unprecedented number of objections

Labour have revealed a “new” Local Plan which commits them to building around 1000 home s per year on average during the next 15 years.

A higher rate is planned of the next 6 years

This means that the size of the City will increase by over 20% during the period up to 2030.

Green Belt campaign logo

Net internal population growth (births minus deaths) is around 1000 a year on average

With home occupancy at over 2 persons per dwelling, this generates a demand for around 500 additional homes each year.

The others will be occupied by inward migrants.

The Council statement says,

“In order to continue maximising the delivery of housing, new targets have been proposed in the plan to a minimum of 996 homes per annum over the Local Plan period. For the first six years sufficient land will be earmarked to build 1,170 homes per annum, delivering 16,980 over the life time of the plan, to accommodate a population growth of around 40,000 people over the next 15-years

The previous target was 1090 – 1250 new and affordable homes per year up to 2030. Amendments to the portfolio of sites reflect up to date evidence base work. Approach to density is National Planning Policy framework (NPPF) compliant”.

http://tinyurl.com/LPYork22