Can you help unearth the Guildhall’s past?

AOC Archaeology Group, which has been appointed to undertake an archaeological dig close to the medieval Guildhall site, are encouraging residents and visitors to help unearth the Guildhall’s past.

please credit the york past and present photographic group Credit:York past and present photographic group

In partnership with City of York Council, the unique dig is set to begin later this year to give a better understanding of the site’s history and significance, which will help to move forwards with the development of emerging plans for the new-look Guildhall complex.

However, before the digging begins, AOC Archaeology would like to uncover more of the history of the site and the old timber buildings itself (aka the hutments).
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York Cycle Challenge

The York Cycle Challenge has got off to a flying start with 71 organisations across the city, including businesses, the Universities and major employers taking part.
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Latest Planning applications Acomb and Westfield Wards

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb Ward. There were no applicatiosn last week in the Westfield Ward

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

Acomb

Location: 22 Chestnut Grove York YO26 5LE

Proposal: Front extension to form new porch entrance and WC

Ref No: 14/01319/FUL

Contact: Ms Kate MacNeill Consultation Expiry Date: 7 July 2014 Case Officer: Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level: DEL

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Location: 19 Millgates York YO26 6AT

Proposal: First floor side and single storey rear extension

Ref No: 14/01265/FUL

Contact: Mr Mark Savege Consultation Expiry Date: 7 July 2014 Case Officer: Sandra Duffill Expected Decision Level: DEL

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Location: 34 The Paddock York YO26 6AW

Proposal: Erection of single storey extension extending 3.938 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a height to the eaves of 2.4 metres and a total height of 3.550 metres

Ref No: 14/01272/LHE

Contact: R C Donkin _ Partner Consultation Expiry Date: 30 June 2014 Case Officer: Sandra Duffill Expected Decision Level: DEL

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Location: 10 Sherwood Grove York YO26 5RD

Proposal: Erection of single storey extension extending 3.30 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a height to the eaves of 2.50 metres and a total height of 3.80 metres

Ref No: 14/01303/LHE

Contact: Mr Paul Roberts Consultation Expiry Date: 3 July 2014 Case Officer: Sandra Duffill Expected Decision Level: DEL

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Westfield

Location: 23 Ascot Way York YO24 4QY

Proposal: Single storey side and rear extension including porch to front

Ref No: 14/01252/FUL

Applicant: Mr & Mrs R Slack Contact Mr Ben Farrer Consultation Expiry Date 7 July 2014 Case Officer: Sandra Duffill 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.

Call for statement on Barbican development.

Barbican development site June 2014

The next Council meeting is likely to debate why a start on building work, on the derelict site next to the Barbican, has been delayed.

Planning permission for a 165 bedroomed hotel was granted in January 2012 with the aim being to provide facilities which would complement the use of the adjacent Barbican auditorium as a conference centre.

Property firm Broadhall was granted permission to build a Hilton Garden Inn on the land. The development was expected to bring at least 200 additional jobs to the City.

Plans to erect nearly 200 flats on another part of the vacant site were submitted last year

A recent major conference held at the Barbican centre was criticised for lack of “break out” space.

Now the site – which used to accommodate a swimming pool – has been derelict for 2 years with gaps in the hoardings affecting the view from the City Walls and blighting one of he key routes around the City.

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Walmgate Bar June 2014

The Council has also been criticised for not starting a permanent repair on nearby Walmgate Bar.

The Bar was shored up following a collision four years ago.

Two years ago the media reported that a start on refurbishment work was imminent.

With the City having a “showcase” opportunity provided by the Tour de France event next month, many had expected the Council to act on unsightly buildings and sites.

Curious poems at Fulford

Curios Poems

Date:Tue 17, 24 June and Tue 1 July

Time:1.30pm – 2.00pm

Venue:Fulford Library

Cost:Free

York Curiouser is working with St Oswald’s CE School and Fulford Library to create curious poems and share them with our youngest customers.

The York Council has been criticised for losing control of the City centre.

Disabled busker on Coney Street

Residents have been dismayed by the sight of severely disabled buskers taking up pitches on Coney Street. The scenes are more reminiscent of post Napoleonic war Britain than would be expected in a modern, relatively wealthy, City.

There was no sign of any Council official taking any action to address the problem.

“Carnival” lacked samba beat

No fewer than 4 buskers were operating in the Coney Street area on Saturday with one “Silverman” seeking to emulate the famous “Purpleman” by sitting on a bicycle albeit looking bored.

Busking used to be regulated in York but the new Labour Council decided in 2011 to make the restrictions only advisory.

Similarly the “pedlar” situation seems to be getting out of control. Pedlars are coming into the city selling their goods on “pedlar’s licences” but they are not actually adhering to the conditions of the licence which require them to keep moving unless making a sale.

They are selling from huge stalls on wheels but staying in one “spot” all day long. They need to apply for a street trading consent.

Cars in conflict with pedestrians on St Sampsons Square

The City centre decline can be traced back to the removal of an effective City Centre manager nearly 2 years ago. The Council may have realised their mistake as they announced last month a further major shake up in the remaining members of the team.

£160,000 is being cut off the budget, staff are being sacked and it seems likely that the management will shortly fall into the hands of an independent agency.

The Council’s decision was – of course – taken behind closed doors.

Whatever the structure the new managers will need to make progress quickly.

Not only do we have the problem of weed growth blighting the appearance of public structures – Ouse Bridge is still heaving under the burden of vegetation – but also poor forward planning is leading to police and civil enforcement staff being over whelmed.

Yesterday (Saturday) the Council had scheduled a (Samba lite) Carnival in the City centre on the same day as a Race meeting and a major football match.

Weeds still growing on Ouse Bridge – still no Council statement

So not only were buskers out in numbers, but there were obvious safety conflicts between the crowds in St Sampson’s Square and vehicles that had strayed into the area.

Even the number of A boards on the public highway, in areas like Church Street, seems to be on the increase.

The Council staff who work in the City centre deserve more support than they are getting,

The Councils Labour Leadership also need to spend more time reviewing the consequences of the decisions that they have taken.

Leeman Road closure – bus service diversions

Services 2, 5 and 5A affected

Monday 16 June 2014 – Friday 20 June 2014

Road Works

Area: Leeman Road
Cause: Roadworks
Duration: 5 days

Leeman Road will be closed from Monday 16th June at 0900 to Friday 20th June until 1800

Buses will divert as follows –

Service 2 Rawcliffe Bar Park & Ride Green Line
From Water End bus stop continues along Water End non stop along Poppleton Road, Holgate Road, Blossom Street, Queen Street, Station Road to Station Avenue, then on normal route to Rawcliffe Bar.

Service 5/5A
To Strensall: After Boroughbridge (Malvern Avenue stop), buses will continue non stop along Poppleton Road, Holgate Road, Blossom
Street, Queen Street, Station Road to Station Avenue, then normal route to Strensall.

From Strensall: After Station Road, buses will continue non stop along Station Road, Queen Street, Blossom Street, Holgate Road,
Poppleton Road to Boroughbridge Road (Malvern Avenue stop), then normal route to Acomb.

Hob Moor tunnel closure badly signed

Footpath closed. Queue forms

The Hob Moor to Tadcaster Road cycle/pedestrian route under the East Coast Railway line is now closed.

The closure is poorly signed from the Gale Lane and Windsor Garth access points onto the cycle path.

There is a diversion signed from Hob Moor Terrace but not using a route that visitors would find easy to follow.

Alcohol diversion programme starts in York

The first programme to be run by City of York Council for people arrested while drunk and disorderly in the city, will start up this week to help bring about lasting change in people’s attitude to alcohol and its impact.

Recommended by the council’s cross-party Scrutiny Committee, the pilot programme is funded by the council’s public health budget and will be monitored by the Safer York Partnership, the city-wide AVANTE partnership and by the University of York, for its 18-month duration.
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