York’s PV panels project in Council homes wins national recognition

A York project with Photo Voltaic (PV) panel specialists NWS to combat fuel poverty and serve as a national exemplar has won a national award.

To date, 8,511 Solar PV systems have been installed on 479 York council homes.

This week, The Green Organisation’s Green Apple Award was presented by Doreen Lawrence OBE to NWS which created and completed a ground-breaking, self-funded Solar PV project l.

A winner in the category of ‘Construction Companies: Energy Efficiency’, the project’s key aim was to create a viable model for providing free solar PV installations for housing authorities following the UK government’s reduction of the feed-in-tariff associated with micro-generation systems.

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Bonding Warehouse plans revealed

Bonding warehouse

The Bonding Warehouse may be turned into a restaurant and/or offices with the upper floors becoming 4 apartments.

A planning application, being considered on 4th July, also includes the erection of an “external access tower and bridge link to Skeldergate” as well as a new “mansard” roof to the southern part of the building

Details of the proposal – which is recommended for approval – can be found by clicking here

The building has been empty since 2000. In spite of the implementation of a “tanking” scheme inside the ground floor of the building to minimize the impact of flooding, the building is deteriorating and is highlighted as being “at risk” in the Central Historic Core conservation area appraisal.

Beaconsfield Street “bookmakers” conversion set for planning approval

The proposal to change the bookmakers shop at 48/50 Beaconsfield Street into residential accommodation will finally reach the planning committee on 4th July. The application is recommended for approval.

The proposal would see 3 two bedroomed and 1 single bedroomed flat created out of the converted building. The adjacent 2 story building would also return to residential use.

The flats would be for sale. Apparently the applicants originally mistakenly described the flats as “affordable housing” which gave rise to some objections.

48/50 Beaconsfield Street

The main issue raised, when the idea of the conversion was first suggested, related to the lack of car parking. It has now been suggested that the “developer will provide a free bicycle or a 12 month bus pass per dwelling to the first occupants of the properties to encourage non-car travel”!

The Council received 18 letters of objection to the plan. The predominant concern was lack of car parking while some mentioned noise problems.

The Council committee will have to consider whether it is possible to bring number 50 back into use as either a single or duplex building. There is a shortage of 3 and 4 bedroomed property in the City and opportunities to redress the imbalance come along only rarely.

The creation of 3 dwellings (instead of 5) would also have the advantage that it would reduce the pressure on nearby “on street” parking space.

Reduction in “children in care” numbers in York

The number of children in the care of the local authority has fallen in York.

An annual review shows that there were 243 children in care at the end of March 2013 compared to 258 in 2012.

Of the 248, 67% had been placed with Council appointed foster carers. A further 9% were living with people who had a previous connection to the child (e.g. an aunt)

The City has 113 approved foster carers at the end of the year.

Around 20 families apply to become foster carers each month.

Foster carers are paid a weekly fee of between £149 and £642 depending on the age of the child fostered and the skill level of the fosterer.

Income from fostering is tax free up to a limit of £25,000 a year.

Licensed clubs and pubs in the City – The complete list!

The Council has provided a list of all the licensed Clubs (click here) and Pubs/Restaurants etc (click here) in the City

Euro MP to visit proposed new development site on Acomb Moor

Edward McMillan-Scott MEP

Liberal Democrat MEP Edward McMillan-Scott will be meeting with residents on Friday to discuss their campaign to Save Acomb Moor from development.

The Green Belt site was a surprise inclusion in the Labour Councils draft development plan published in April.

It had been in the draft Green Belt for several decades and was widely regarded as unsuitable for development because of its raised position.

The field concerned is currently used to graze horses but there is also a wide variety of wildlife on the moor and in surrounding hedges.

There will be a “photo call” with Edward shortly after 12:00 noon at the proposed development site.

Over 200 residents have signed a petition aimed at conserving the moor.

Small business rates relief up for grabs in York

A complete list of business names, addresses and rateable values of commercial properties with rateable value of £1,000 up to £11,000 who are eligible for but not currently receiving small business rate relief.

There are several hundred properties listed by the Council Click here to see a full list

Record LOW number of “speeders” last week in York!

The Police speed camera van caught only 32 drivers speeding in the York area last week. This was lower than normal. Most were identified on Greenshaw Drive in Haxby and on the A1237 at Monks Cross.

North Yorkshire Police mobile safety camera routes for the period 26 June to 2 July 2013.

Below are enforcement locations for North Yorkshire Police’s mobile safety cameras for week commencing Wednesday 26 June 2013.

• Tadcaster Road Dringhouses York

• Beckfield Lane Acomb York

• Main Street Askham Richard

• Millfield Lane Poppleton York

• Temple Lane Copmanthorpe York

• Malton Road York
• Murton Way Murton York
• Skipwith Road Escrick
• Stillingfleet Mine, Escrick Road
• Strensall Road Huntington York
• The village Stockton-on-the-Forest York
• Towthorpe Road Haxby
• Greenshaw Drive Haxby
• York Road Haxby York
• Grange Farm, Wheldrake Lane, Elvington
• B1228 Dunnington Lodge Elvington

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Latest planning applications Acomb and Westfield

Below are the latest planning application received by the York Council last week affecting the Acomb and Westfield parts of the City. Full details can be found by quoting the application reference on the “planning portal” web site.

Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site.

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

Location: 30 Chestnut Grove York YO26 5LE Ref No: 13/02012/FUL Proposal: Single storey side and front extension Applicant: Mr And Mrs Pope Contact: Mr Howard Berry Consultation Expiry Date: 16 July 2013 Case Officer: Heather Fairy (Mon – Wed) Expected Decision DEL

Garages being demolished near 42A The Green in Acomb

Location: 42A The Green Acomb York YO26 5LR Ref No: 13/01286/CAC Proposal: Demolition of existing dwelling within the conservation area Applicant: Tower Estates Ltd Contact Michael Powell Consultation Expiry Date 16 July 2013 Case Officer: Victoria Bell Expected Decision Level DEL

NOTE: This is the fifth planning application affecting this property in the last 2 years.

Most applications have been withdrawn but permission was granted to demolish the garages to the rear.

Workers are on site doing that now.

As this is a Conservation Area, we would have expected that a planning application for a new use would have been considered at the same time as any proposal to demolish existing buildings.