Guildhall project set to get planning approval

Perhaps not surprisingly, the York Planning Committee is being recommended to approve major changes to the Guildhall complex in York.

The proposals involve alterations to, and the refurbishment of, the Guildhall complex to create conference rooms, meeting rooms and offices.

Revised Guildhall project layout plans

Guildhall project plans

The existing south range will be refurbished, and part rebuilt, to provide cafe and ancillary accommodation while an extension will be erected on the north side of complex to form a restaurant and office accommodation.

30 objections to the plans – including one from the York Conservation Trust – have been received. Only one letter of support has been lodged.

The proposal is controversial because of the risks to the public purse. The latest estimates suggest that Council taxpayers could be liable for around £12 million if the project flops. It is an investment – and risk – which could have been transferred to the private sector if a more flexible tendering system had been adopted.

York Guildhall

York Guildhall

Many of the proposed changes will be welcomed as they open up the river bank and will bring back into use an important historic building which has been largely empty for four years.

One issue to be resolved is the inclusion of units where alcohol will be served.

This – like several other recent proposals for the city centre – is directly in conflict with the cumulative impact policies of the Council and local Police. The policy seeks to limit the number of outlets in the City centre selling alcohol.

guildhall-costsb-july-2016

 

Police tight lipped about Acomb Police station closure

Acomb Police StationThe Police and Crime Commissioners office (PCC) has refused to reveal details of the proposed move of the Acomb Police station to a new site at Lowfields. They claim “commercial confidentiality” as a reason not to reveal their forward investment programme (other Authorities agree forward capital plans at public meetings).

The PCC does admit that £141,000 was spent in 2013 modernising the existing station on Acomb Road.

The PCC claims that the Police do not hold any notes or the minutes of any meetings which have taken place during the last 2 years at which the expansion or relocation of the Acomb Police Station has been discussed. Nor will they provide details of the costs associated with any proposed changes

The PCCs decision-making process is at best opaque.

A response to an FOI request refers to a decision taken by the PCC in 2015. A report then outlined ways in which around £1.6 million a year will be saved from the police budget by rationalising premises.

Across North Yorkshire, it estimates that total capital costs (including project management costs and costs for digital technologies) would be of the order of £17.6m, and will exceed disposal proceeds (estimated to be £12.4m) by around £5m.

A background paper says that police services will be delivered through three tiers,

  • Tier 1: Core operational hubs; which will typically include essential core police and back office activities including Force Control Room locations, Custody locations, Investigative Hubs and facilities to store and retain property and exhibits.
  • Tier 2: Deployment/Response bases, strategically located across the force to supplement the core operational hubs and provide operational coverage to mitigate Threat, Risk and Harm.   These bases may be shared with other public services.
  • Tier 3: Local community “touchpoints” will provide a range of mechanisms to increase and enhance the opportunity for the public to engage with the police, including mobile police stations, online “real time” contact and community based information points.  These may include mobile Gateway access via either shared multi-agency public access points or virtual access (online/self service).

It is unclear what role any office in Acomb will fulfil although most residents have supported the idea of providing a police contact desk at the Library rather than go through an expensive new build project at Lowfields.

The annexes to the strategy are exempted on “commercial grounds” meaning that taxpayers do not know which police stations could be affected.

This raises suspicions that financial, rather than operational, needs are driving the change process in Acomb

The PCC declines to say which functions any new Police building at Lowfields would be designed to accommodate.  For example it has been suggested that the site will be used for overnight parking.

The FOI response says that “a letter of intent for North Yorkshire Police to work with the City of York Council in respect of the Lowfields site, has been sent to the City of York Council by North Yorkshire Police’s Chief Executive Officer”. The date and content of the letter are not revealed.

Given that it appears that the Police have no idea what kind of facility they hope to build at Lowfields – and at what cost to taxpayers – any letter of intent would seem to be premature.

The PCC has made no attempt to engage with local Councillors or residents on their plans

The PCC is proposing to increase the police precept by 1.99% in April.

PCC FOI response Jan 2017

PCC FOI response Jan 2017

“Arts Barge” mooring plan set to be torpedoed

arts bargeThe long running saga of the York Arts barge looks like it will take another twist next week when the Council’s Planning committee is being recommended to reject a proposal to moor the vessel next to Tower Gardens.

Council officials rightly point out that the barge would impact on the Conservation area affecting views of several historic buildings.

The plan has attracted many objections from residents (and a similar number from supporters) who fear both the visual intrusion of the barge and the possible anti-social implications of providing yet another venue serving alcohol in what is already a problem area.

Ironically the York Civic Trust, which should be advancing the case for conservation of the built environment, says it supports the plan! The same organisation recently came out in favour of the bizarre plan to use storage containers as the basis of a new development on Piccadilly. Its opposition to the visitor centre planned for Clifford’s Tower was also luke warm.

Proposed arts barge location

Proposed arts barge location

In the final analysis planning experts ask the very reasonable question why a new arts venue could not be accommodated in an existing building. There are several venues in the City which are under-used.

The controversy about the Arts Barge project started in the last decade when the, then Labour controlled, Council agreed to use taxpayer’s money to underwrite the project.

Fortunately, the current coalition run Council have been much more circumspect about risking taxpayer’s money.

The report on the proposal can be read by clicking here

Latest planning applications for the Westfield Ward

Below is the latest planning application received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the words highlighted in blue

——

Meeting House Lane, The Green Acomb York YO26 5FD

Fell Sycamore tree in a Conservation Area

Ref         17/00199/TCA

——

The Gatehouse 6 Westfield Farm Askham Lane York YO24 3HU

Prune Horse Chestnut, Pine and Sycamore trees protected by a Tree Preservation Order No: CYC 138

Ref. No: 17/00149/TPO 

——–

116 Foxwood Lane York YO24 3LT

Change of use from dwelling (Use Class C3) to House in Multiple Occupation (Use Class C4)

Ref. No: 17/00109/FUL 

——-

7 Kir Crescent York YO24 3DF

Single storey front, side and rear extensions

Ref. No: 17/00039/FUL

———

Westfield Primary School Askham Lane York YO24 3HP

Erection of cycle shelter

Ref. No: 17/00050/GRG3

——-

(Hob Stone) Our Ladys R C Primary School Windsor Garth York YO24 4QW

Conditions 9, 10, 12, 18 and 23 – 13/02892/FULM

Ref. No: AOD/17/00004

——-

1 St Stephens Square York YO24 3EJ

Two storey side and rear extensions and single storey front and rear extensions

Ref. No: 17/00009/FUL

——–

176 Gale Lane York YO24 3AE

Proposal              Single storey side and rear extensions

Reference           16/02830/FUL

——-

 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/

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

Latest planning applications for the Westfield Ward

Below is the latest planning application received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the words highlighted in blue

——

131 St Stephens Road York YO24 3EE

Proposal              Conversion of dwelling into 2no. dwellings (retrospective)

Reference           16/02845/FUL

—-

176 Gale Lane York YO24 3AE

Proposal              Single storey side and rear extensions

Reference           16/02830/FUL

——-

 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/

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

Investment priorities changing in York City centRE

There have been several announcements about investment in the York City centre over the last few weeks.

Details of a new hotel in Hungate have been released while most of the troubled Stonebow building will become residential with commercial and leisure at street level.

In Piccadilly, the old NCP car park site may be turned into a hotel and flats.  Nearby, Ryedale House is set to become apartments.

The Council has rejected interest in building a hotel on the former Reynard’s garage site, controversially preferring a medium term retail option involving the use of  shipping containers! This has prompted renewed calls for a planning blueprint for the area to be agreed quickly, followed by comprehensive redevelopment work.

It’s not difficult to see why retail is being squeezed in the City centre.

economy-jan-2017

There are a record number of empty shops in the City with (potential) shopper numbers declining. This can be contrasted with hotel bedroom charges (and occupancy levels) which are at record highs.

Very high sale prices on City center apartments are being achieved .

A two bedroomed flat in the Westgate development sold recently for £245,000. It had previously been sold in 2012 for £168,000 – a 45% increase.

A new 2 Bed flat conversion in Goodramgate is currently advertised for £315,000.

The drift into a hospitality led City centre economy – buoyed by high visitor numbers and more local residents – seems likely to gather pace.

We expect to see more commercial premises including shops being converted into homes. 

Bat concern set to stop Mayfield Grove development

5-mayfield-groveA plan to build 3 additional homes on Mayfield Grove will be considered by the Council’s planning committee when it meets on 5th January 2017.

The application is recommended for refusal

The application seeks full planning permission for the erection of three dwellings on a 0.06ha plot at the eastern end of Mayfield Grove.

The proposed houses would replace an existing bungalow located towards the front of the site at 5 Mayfield Grove with its main garden to the rear. There would be a semi-detached pair of 3 bedroom dwellings at the front of the site on the footprint of the existing bungalow and a single detached 2 bedroom bungalow to the rear.

Vehicle access would be from Mayfield Grove, via newly created parking areas and private driveway to the rear property.

Several objections to the development were received because of concerns about over-development but the key concern is the absence of a bat scoping survey of the existing buildings on the site.

The Committee will also consider several other planning applications

Erection of dwelling following demolition of existing bungalow

Erection of a terrace of 3no. dwellings on land previously used as car park to the south of the existing building

Erection of 1no. dwelling to land to side of 4 Whitby Avenue

Extension to existing building to create additional office accommodation on first and second floors above rear ground floor parking area, including demolition of existing garage

Change of use of dwelling (use class C3) to House in Multiple Occupation (use class C4)

Single storey rear extension

Two storey rear extension, single storey side and rear extensions, hip to gable roof extension and dormer to rear

Terrys clock tower set to get permission for flats conversion

The York Council is set to approve plan to turn the former Terry’s clock tower into 22 apartments.

terrys-clock-towerThe plan – to be considered on 5th January – also involves providing space for a museum and associated car parking.

It is proposed to convert the building for residential use incorporating 19 one, two and three bedroom apartments within the existing building and a further three within the northern roof top extension (to the boiler house) which would be executed in structural glazing.

The upper clock chamber has been made over by the applicant to provide a museum and viewing space to provide interpretive material in respect of the development of chocolate manufacture at the site. The clock would also be reinstated.

The Clock Tower comprises a substantial brick and art stone detailed, Grade II Listed, structure with an attached two storey boiler house.

It occupies a prominent location within the Terry’s/Racecourse Conservation Area. It formerly acted as a chimney and boiler house to support the manufacture of chocolate and confectionery at the Terry’s site from construction in the 1920s until manufacture ceased in 2006.

Officials say, “The building is on the “Heritage at Risk” register. Unfortunately no commercial or leisure occupier has been found to “save” the building in spite of a long and extensive marketing exercise. The height and configuration of the accommodation, its location within the body of the site, and the cost of essential repair-work have been cited by potential occupiers as reasons for lack of viability for a commercial or mixed use scheme. The over-riding consideration is finding a new use that would sustain the heritage significance of the building”.

“The scheme would rescue this building at risk which is a much valued and prominent York landmark”

Only eight objections to the proposal have been received by the Council although one is from the Civic Trust.

Latest planning applications for the Westfield Ward

Below is the latest planning application received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the words highlighted in blue

—-

Co op store on Beagle Ridge Drive

Co op store on Beagle Ridge Drive

Co-operative Retail Services Ltd 6 Beagle Ridge Drive York YO24 3JQ

Proposal              Condition 3 – 16/02315/FUL (Installation of new refrigeration plant in existing plant enclosure at the rear, alterations to loading bay area, reduce door threshold in rear elevation, brick up louvre, new bollards to front and rear of store, relocation of parking bays and colour changes to shopfront)

Reference           AOD/16/00406

——

Co-operative Retail Services Ltd 6 Beagle Ridge Drive York YO24 3JQ

Display of 2no. internally illuminated fascia signs, 1no. internally illuminated projecting sign and 7no. non illuminated wall mounted signs

Ref. No: 16/02786/ADV

——

150 Askham Lane York YO24 3HR

Installation of dropped kerb.

Ref. No: 16/02764/FUL

—-

167 Gale Lane York YO24 3AG

Proposal              Two storey side extension

Reference           16/02704/FUL

—-

 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/

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

“Pillock” remark by York Tory Councillor prompts investigation

Lovers of Dickensian drama will no doubt turn out in large numbers at a public hearing meeting next week (West Offices 10:00am 19th Dec)

Groves Chapel

Groves Chapel

They will hear a complaint from 3 residents who claim foul play in the way that a planning application, relating to the establishment of a supermarket in part of the Groves Chapel, was handled at meetings which took place last spring.

An independent report into the storm will be discussed at a “Standards Committee” meeting.

The report finds that Cllr. John Galvin – the chair of the planning sub committee – was disrespectful to those attending a site meeting when – in an aside – he referred to someone as a “pillock”.

The investigator says “pillock” is not a swear word.

The complainants say that they didn’t actually hear what was said while John Galvin says the comment described the behaviour of a lorry driver who was touring the area in an attempt to influence the views of the planners.

The report dismisses claims that the Councillor had a vested interest in the outcome of the planning application by virtue of his, Council nominated, governorship of the York Hospital.

At a meeting on 7th April 2016 John Galvin used his Chairs casting vote to approve the plans to bring the Groves Chapel back into use (it had been largely vacant for several months).

The committee has the power to impose sanctions on Councillors found to have breached protocols. Usually breaches are dealt with by way of a warning about future behaviour.

While John Galvin’s approach can be viewed as robust – and he can sometimes appear intolerant of opposing views – we doubt whether the case should have got this far.

Better to use mediation to sort out this kind of thing, perhaps over a coffee and a handshake.

The costs of the investigation will be borne by taxpayers.