Empty offices at Clifton Moor to become flats?

Clifton Moor office empty

The York Council is to remove restrictive covenants from some commercial properties in Clifton Moor.

This will allow buildings to be converted into residential use.

The Council says that it is doing this because there is little demand for office blocks on the development and a lot of property is empty.

The Council also claims that demand for City centre offices is buoyant.

The covenants were imposed several years ago when the area was first developed.

The area suffers from significant traffic congestion which is unlikely to be sorted until expensive improvements to the northern by pass are completed.

There are some fairly big question to be answered about the quality of residential accommodation that could be provided by converting modern office and commercial buildings.
Huge areas of green field land have been reserved for this purpose – including a nearby site at Westminster Business Park – with many sites being some miles from the City centre.Behind closed doors logo
 It also brings into question (again) the assumptions that the Council has made in its draft Local Plan about the demand for office and commercial development land in the future.

The Councils decision was taken at a “behind closed doors” meeting.

There was no consultation with local residents or businesses about the proposal.

Labour in disarray as 6 more York Councillors set to quit

Backstabbing

The Labour Party in York is currently in disarray with a total of 6 Councillors now saying that they will stand down from the Council next year, while a further two have quit the Labour Group altogether (Cllrs Jeffries – who joined the LibDems – and Watson who now sits as an Independent).

Last week 3 other Labour Councillors were not re-selected to contest their seats in Clifton.

They were replaced by a party hack from M.P. Hugh Bayley’s office and an unknown “businessman”.

Dringhouses Labour Councillor Ann Semlyen is one of those that has announced that she is quitting the York Council next May. The Fishergate based representative has endured a troubled term of office and has been blamed by many for the introduction of the controversial wide area 20 mph speed limits. The Dringhouses ward is highly marginal with the area being represented by one LibDem and two Labour Councillors at present .The fate of the other Dringhouses Labour Councillor (Hodgson) is unknown.

Labour have refused to confirm that Heworth based Dafydd “two jobs” Williams will seek to retain his seat in Westfield.

The other local representative (Burton) – who also lives on the other side of the river – has gained an unfortunate reputation as one of the least effective elected representatives that the City has ever seen.

Lib Dems fight to resolve parking chaos in Clifton

 

Clifton Liberal Democrats are pushing for Newborough Street to be converted into a residential parking zone due to the shocking lack of availability for local residents. 

Newborough Street

Newborough Street

Local families are unable to park outside their own homes due to a large number of local workers and city commuters taking advantage of the street’s unrestricted parking. This problem is only set to increase with the completion of the new eco-homes development, local homeowner and Liberal Democrat campaigner Tobie Abel is calling on the council to take action.

A petition to convert the street into a residential parking zone has been gaining momentum and will be submitted to City of York Council on the 17th of July. Residents can show their support by contacting Tobie at tobieabel.libdem@gmail.com.

Tobie commented:

“After speaking to local residents it is clear that the current situation cannot continue. Newborough Street’s proximity to the hospital, the football club and the city centre puts a real strain on the limited parking available. Everyone I have spoken to has been very supportive of the petition, and we are calling on the council to take action.

The residential parking zone would finally give Newborough Street homeowners the spaces that they desperately need.” 
 

No freebies for York Labour Councillor

 At least one member of the Labour Cabinet is apparently now showing restraint in accepting hospitality.

According to the Councils web site serial party goer Cllr Crisp hasn’t received any hospitality since October 2013.

In the same period Council Leader has declared 23 instances of hospitality

The Deputy Leader Cllr Simpson Laing has accepted a similar number of freebies including two meals from John Lewis. She makes no declaration for foreign travel although it had previously been reported that the British Council was picked up the tab for her trips to Strasbourg.

With dozens of Tour de France VIP tickets having been available recently, residents will be keeping a close eye on declarations made by both Councillors and officers over the next few days.

At the other end of the scale Cllr “two jobs” Williams has not received any hospitality at all during the 3 years that he has been a Councillor. Probably doesn’t have time, given that as well as being a Cabinet member, he tries to hold down a full time job and is also a magistrate.

Senior Officers also now publish a list of expenses that they receive from the Council. The May list can be found on their web site and is unexceptionable part from one air flight costing over £300.

The Council hasn’t published details of Councillors travel expense claims since March.

Kings Square launch

Lowfield Care Village delays rapped by residents.

Artists impression of new "care village"

Artists impression of new “care village”

Survey results highlight a lack of communication by Council

A door to door survey undertaken in the Lowfields and Tudor Road area over the last few weeks has found growing dissatisfaction with York Council consultation arrangements.

Residents say that they have heard little from the Council about the delays to the retirement village which was to have been built on the former Lowfields school site.

Originally expected open last year, work on the village has yet to start as the Council struggles to find partners and funding for the project.

A few weeks ago one section of the Council proposed building on all of the school playing field – the original intention had been to restrict building to the school ”footprint”.

The enlarged proposal was opposed by planners but concerns remain that the idea might be revived.

63% of respondent to the survey though that part of Lowfields playing field could be retained as a nature reserve. 29% opposed the idea while 8% were undecided.

Respondents also said:

  • The development should be aimed at providing homes for older people
  • Part of the playing fields should be retained as community amenity space
  • The playing fields should not be built on and should be secured after nightfall (There has been no casual access to the site for over 3 years).

Flash Read to A-maze city’s book lovers

Acomb Library book sale April 2014

To launch this year’s Summer Reading Challenge, people across the city are being invited to join in a flash read and show their support for children’s reading!

This reading equivalent of a flash mob, aims to inspire more children and their parents to take a few minutes to share the pleasures of a good book, which is a key component of this year’s Summer Reading Challenge.

The flash read will take place on Friday 11 July at 11am when Explore is urging everyone to stop what they’re doing for a few minutes, pick up a good book and read. It only needs to take a few minutes but it will be a city-wide, fun event to remind everyone of the pleasures of reading. To spread the word, readers are invited to take a reading selfie and tweet it at #yorkflashread, or simply tell us what or where they are reading and join in.

(more…)

Latest Planning applications Acomb and Westfield Wards

Gale Farm Court to get UPVC double glazing and new doors

A planning application has been submitted for the installation of new doors and UPVC windows in Gale Farm Court. The application arises because of the proximity of the building to the Conservation area.

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Acomb

Location:       83 Langholme Drive York YO26 6AH

Proposal:       Single storey side extension

Ref No: 14/01377/FUL

Consultation Expiry Date:       25 July 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       19 Lidgett Grove York YO26 5NE

Proposal:       Single storey extension to side and rear

Ref No: 14/01477/FUL

Contact:        Mr R Room       Consultation Expiry Date:       25 July 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       7 Sitwell Grove York YO26 5JG

Proposal:       Two storey side extension

Ref No: 14/01510/FUL

Consultation Expiry Date:       25 July 2014 Case Officer:   David Johnson   Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       Acomb Chiropractic Clinic 60A York Road Acomb York YO24 4NW

Proposal:       Fell Beech (T1), Tree in the Conservation Area

Ref No: 14/01545/TCA

Contact:        Mr Tom Kitchen  Consultation Expiry Date:       25 July 2014 Case Officer:   Esther Priestley        Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Westfield

Location:       1 Gale Farm Court York YO24 3DR

Proposal:       Replacement window and doors at 1-38 Gale Farm Court

Ref No: 14/01350/FUL

Applicant:      City Of York Council   Contact Mr Michael Leighton     Consultation Expiry Date        25 July 2014 Case Officer:   David Johnson   Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       66 Chapelfields Road York YO26 5AH

Proposal:       Two storey and single storey side extension

Ref No: 14/01509/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Mark Chappell        Contact Mr J Funnell    Consultation Expiry Date        25 July 2014Case Officer:   Paul Edwards    Expected Decision Level DEL

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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.

TdF conclusions

1.An amazing – if fleeting – spectacle.
2. France is now officially our second favourite country.
3. New 7 year old boys job ambition – become a NY Police motorcyclist
4. People seen dancing in the street are probably Skoda sales reps
5. Expect big increase in lycra sales. People who have recently finished crash diets should remember that the material will not stretch infinitely.
6. Many York residents believe cyclists can navigate through a 12 inch wide gap. Comes from a long tradition of avoiding cyclists on footpaths.
7. TdF competitors cycled the wrong way down one way streets during pedestrian hours. Another York tradition respected.
8. We were wrong about the “unfinished” landscaping next to the Poppleton Park and Ride site. It was part of a cunning plan to provide a grandstand for spectators.
9. The Councils decision to switch off the parking space availability information on its web site simply added to the air of mystery for visitors in the City.
10. Amongst the best publicity that a region has ever received. Almost certainly good news for the tourist industry. But the time for a final judgement will come in 12 months.

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