Another Harewood Whin odour warning for Acomb- Residents alerted about landfill works

PEOPLE living in the vicinity of a landfill site near York are being alerted they may experience a temporary odour in the air as work begins to restore another section of the site

The warning from operator Yorwaste comes a year after similar odour problems were reported by resident living in the Wetherby Road area.

Harewood Whin

In a media release the company says, “Yorwaste is currently undertaking work to restore a large area of completed landfill in the central part of their Harewood Whin site. This involves sealing the exposed waste with clay to control leachate generation and prevent landfill gas emissions.

The work can create disturbance, hence why the company is keen to alert residents in advance.

As part of this process new pipes have to be installed to collect the gas that is produced by waste in the landfill and it is at this stage that people living nearby may notice a slight and occasional odour.

Yorwaste says it is working as quickly but safely as possible to carry out this work, which will take place at various periods in October, and that the installation of the gas pipes should be completed by the end of November.

Steve Grieve, Managing Director of Yorwaste, said:

“We would like to apologise in advance for any inconvenience this work may cause to people living near Harewood Whin but it is important to stress that this work is essential and is necessary to avoid a repeat of last winter’s problems.

“As waste breaks down in a landfill it starts to produce a methane gas. This gas can be captured and converted into green electricity which is then exported directly to the national grid, thereby reducing reliance on fossil fuels.

“The planning and implementation of this work has been done in consultation with our regulator, the Environment Agency, and whilst there may be some short-term inconvenience, they are outweighed by the longer term environmental benefits.”

“Keep the bus routes on gritting schedule” say Westfield residents.

Pressure is growing on Labour Councillors to agree to continue to de-ice all bus routes during the coming winter.

Another petition – containing the signatures of 175 residents living in the Kingsway, Danesfort Avenue and Hamilton Drive areas – has been submitted to the decision meeting that is taking place tomorrow (Wednesday 9th October West Offices, 4:00pm).

The petitioners point out that the Councils latest proposals

Christmas 2009

Christmas 2009

reprieve the Hollybank area which will now be gritted. That area has a 1 hour frequency 13A bus service, the same frequency as the number 24 Kingsway/St Stephens Road link.

The petition is in addition to those who signed a similar plea aimed at retaining gritting and salt bins in the St Stephens Road area.

A copy of all the written representations should be available on the Councils web site shortly. Click here.

Residents wishing to attend and speak at the meeting have only got until 5:00pm today (Tuesday) to register to do so. Telephone – (01904) 552062 Laura Bootland.

The Council has confirmed the list of salt bin sites that will be retained if their proposals go ahead. Around 2/3 of the existing bins are scheduled to be scrapped.

Click here to download a full list of those that will remain.

Latest Planning applications for 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: 93 Boroughbridge Road York YO26 5ST
Proposal: Single storey side and rear extension
Ref No: 13/03235/FUL
Applicant: Ms Vicky Hudson Contact: Mr J Funnell Consultation Expiry Date: 25 October 2013 Case Officer: Elizabeth Potter Expected Decision Level: DEL
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Address 17 Old School Walk York YO26 5TF
Proposal Fell Rowan, Tree protected by Tree Preservation Order CYC 209
Reference 13/03273/TPO
Application Received Mon 07 Oct 2013 Status Pending Consideration
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Westfield

Location: Haylofts 2 Westfield Farm Askham Lane York YO24 3HU
Proposal: Prune Rowan and Cherry, Trees protected by Tree Preservation Order CYC 138
Ref No: 13/03240/TPO
Applicant: Mrs Judith Hodgeson Contact Mrs Sarah Holder Consultation Expiry Date 25 October 2013 Case Officer: Esther Priestley 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.

Energise launch gym club

dance energise

Energise have set up a Gymnastics Club and it starts Monday 4th November!

The following sessions are now available (please note places are limited):
Mon 1.30pm – 2.15pm Parent / guardian and Child 2.5yrs-4yrs
Mon 2.15pm – 3.00pm, 4 yrs – 5yrs
Mon 3.30pm – 4.15pm , 4yrs – 6yrs
Mon 4.15pm – 5.00pm , 7yrs – 11yrs
Mon 5.00pm – 5.45pm, 11yrs+

Only £35 for 7week course, taught by Anny Murray of York Hotshots

For more information and to book contact reception on 01904 552424

New figures indicate private sector jobs growth in York

City of York Council has welcomed new figures released this week from the Office of National Statistics, which show there are 125 more private sector businesses in York, since 2012. The increase takes York from 8010 to 8135 businesses, from across all sectors.

The ONS figures show micro businesses (0-4 employees), and small to medium enterprises (249 or less employees) were particularly strong areas of growth in the city, with both proportionally at an all time high. York has also seen an increase in businesses turnovers across all recorded ONS sectors since 2012.

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Council staff award nominations wanted

City of York Council is asking residents to help celebrate the work of its unsung heroes for its annual ‘eXtra factor’ staff awards.

The authority is seeking nominations for the awards which help highlight the dedication, diligence and enterprise of staff serving the city in a huge range of roles.

With the largest and most diverse workforce in the city, the council’s eXtra factor awards celebrate teams and individuals with the ‘eXtra factor’ – be they architect or archeologist, care worker or cleaner, librarian or leisure centre worker, planner or plumber, warden or waste operative – who show eXtraordinary care, commitment or creativity in their roles.

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Council property sell off to be questioned

Rookie Cabinet member Dafydd Williams is likely to face a series of challenging question at the York Council meeting on Thursday after he revealed that the Council will sell a building to St Johns University without testing the market.

St. Anthony's House

St. Anthony’s House

The Council got into trouble in 2011 for trying to arrange a private sale of the Union Terrace car park to the same institution.

Now Cllr Williams has revealed that St Antony’s House on Clarence Street will be sold to the University without the property being put on the open market and alternative bids considered.

A similar private sale is envisaged for a property on Reedness Street which was for some years leased by Cllr Williams employer (Yorkshire Water). Is now being sold to the current leaseholder (a local development company who apparently intend to build student flats on the site).

Private sales like these are generally frowned on as there is no guarantee that taxpayers are getting the best deal available.

In 2008, the Council sold the site of the former Edmund Wilson swimming pool on Thanet Road to Lidl but only after a competitive bidding process. The sale eventually fetched over twice the value that had been put on the site by professional valuers.

Similarly the Bonding Warehouse site achieved a sale price twice its original valuation.

The lessons are clear.

The property market in York is buoyant and, to get the best value for money, properties must be put on the open market.

The Council also faced criticism 12 months ago when it announced that it was selling its Hungate development site to a local builder………. again without seeking competitive bids. They argued that the low sale price – about half of what the site might fetch now on the open market – was justified as it would bring a new Insurance company employer to the City.

Subsidising private companies with taxpayers money is a dangerous business and one that is outlawed by European legislation.

Time for the District Auditor to take an interest we think.