New planning applications Westfield Ward

Gale Farm Court elderly persons sheltered accommodation to get new windows and doors see planning application ref AOD/15/00028

Gale Farm Court sheltered accommodation

Gale Farm Court sheltered accommodation

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Acomb

None

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Westfield

Location:       93 Queenswood Grove York YO24 4PN

Proposal:       Two storey side and part two storey and single storey rear extensions

Ref No: 14/03020/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Mark Redding  Contact Mr John Funnell  Consultation Expiry Date        16 February 2015 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       12 Askham Lane York YO24 3HA

Proposal:       Two storey side extension and single storey front extension to existing porch

Ref No: 15/00058/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Wayne Robinson     Consultation Expiry Date        16 February 2015 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth 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/

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

Affordable homes in York…. Council report adds to confusion

Under the last Labour Government Council house building reached a, post second world war, low.

Under the last Labour Government Council house building reached a, post second world war, low.

Following our article yesterday,  on section 106 affordable homes and other infrastructure requirements, the Council has now published a working group report on the issue.

The report talks only of “rural sites” of 10 homes or less being affected.

The government guidance however refers to all small sites.

We think that it is time to try something new to stimulate the house building market in York. The government guidance offers an opportunity to do that. If 800 additional homes were built each year, then inflationary pressure on house prices would reduce- benefiting everyone. 

We do also need more affordable homes in the City.

The Council should change its policies and buy up empty properties in the City and add them to the rental pool.

 

York house building numbers prompt criticism

 Government acts to encourage more small brownfield development

Local developers have criticised the York Council Leadership as house building numbers have stalled in the City. Figures released by the “Centre for City’s” reveal that the number of new homes built last year was among the lowest in the country.

housing completions in York

housing completions in York

Although the figures are disputed by Council planners, there is no doubt that building work has been slower over the last couple of years than might have been expected as the country emerged from the recession.

The number of sites granted planning permission has increased over the last  2 years meaning that there is a potential supply of land sufficient to allow around 800 additional homes to be constructed each year during the next five years.

Small developers claim that onerous S106 restrictions (which include a requirement to make a contribution towards the supply of affordable homes) are preventing a start being made on some sites.

House price trends in York click to enlarge

House price trends in York click to enlarge

The government has now intervened and announced that there will be no affordable housing requirement on sites of 10 or less homes.

Full details of the announcement, made last month, can be found here. Click

It has been suggested that the York Council should “fast track” the change and reduce the S106 requirements immediately.

An increase in the numbers of homes coming onto the open market would have the effect of stabilising house prices which are showing signs of increasing in York (having been level for the last 8 years)

Average house prices in different York neighbourhoods click to enlarge

Average house prices in different York neighbourhoods click to enlarge

Stable house prices do benefit first time buyers.  

However, additionally, the York Council should proceed more quickly with the provision of additional low rent social housing.

At present the York Council has a surplus of nearly £13 million on its (Council house) rent account.

The Centre for City’s report will be discussed at a Council meeting next week

York Community Stadium builder confirmed.

Completion date slips to “Autumn 2016”

An article in “Construction Enquirer” has claimed that the new Community Stadium will be built by ISG.  

Community Stadium Nov 2014

ISG is a Yorkshire based company.

The article claims that the stadium will be completed in “Autumn 2016”.

That conflicts with the July 2016 occupation date previously publicised by the York Council and means that the football club may not be able to move home until the 2017/18 season.

The delays will come as no surprise to the many commentators who have queried the 15 month construction timetable.

The scheme has yet to get planning permission while the future of the Knights Rugby team is under question following a very public disagreement between a senior Council official and the Knights chairman.

The Enquirer article reads;

ISG has been confirmed as the preferred construction partner for the £41m York Community Stadium and Leisure Complex scheme.

ISG will be part of the successful consortium bid by Greenwich Leisure Ltd to build a new home stadium for York’s professional football and rugby teams including leisure, retail, office and community facilities.

The new 8,000 all-seater stadium will include hospitality and conferencing facilities, a new 25m six-lane swimming pool, fitness and active play facilities and a community hub.

Work is expected to start on site this summer with completion scheduled for autumn 2016.

ISG is believed to have beaten rivals Carillion and Barr to the deal.

Danny Murray, ISG’s Northern regional managing director, said: “Our involvement in the York Community Stadium project extends back to 2012 and we have worked closely with GLL and our consortium partners to bring the vision for this keynote regional leisure scheme to reality.

“ISG has exceptionally strong leisure sector credentials, delivering iconic sporting venues like the Olympic Velodrome and the National Football Development Centre in Newport, and we are looking forward to working with our consortium partners to create superb new facilities for York.”

 

 

Latest Planning applications Acomb and Westfield area

Changes to Carr Infant school, Civil Service sports ground application for 271 homes plus 24 hour opening for “drive through” take away at A59/A1237 junction?

Acomb Co Op travel shop set to become “take away”, house in Hamilton Drive to be let on “rooms” basis while Boyes seek permission for signs at new Front Street store

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Acomb

Location:       35 Ouseburn Avenue York YO26 5NL

Proposal:       Erection of a pitched roof to existing flat roof side projection

Ref No: 14/02814/FUL

Applicant:      Mr K Ireson     Contact:        Mr Jon Steel    Consultation Expiry Date:       2 February 2015Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       10 Muirfield Way York YO26 5QW

Proposal:       Single storey rear extension

Ref No: 14/02870/FUL

Applicant:      Mr & Mrs Prudames       Contact:        Mr David Moverley       Consultation Expiry Date:       2 February 2015Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       Carr Infant School Ostman Road York YO26 5QA

Proposal:       Erection of two-storey school building (use class D1) with associated hard surfaced play and circulation areas and demolition of existing school building

Ref No: 14/02927/FULM

Applicant:      Mr Paul Beattie  Contact:        Paul Owen      Consultation Expiry Date:       11 February 2015 Case Officer:   Erik Matthews   Expected Decision Level:        COMM

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Location:       9 Rosedale Avenue York YO26 5LG

Proposal:       Single storey side and rear extensions

Ref No: 15/00015/FUL

Applicant:      Mrs Barbara Reagan      Contact:        Mr John Dougal  Consultation Expiry Date:       9 February 2015 Case Officer:   Sandra Duffill  Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       Wills And Ellis Garage Boroughbridge Road York YO26 6QD

Proposal:       Variation of condition 6 of permitted application 14/01943/FUL to allow 24 hour opening of restaurant and alter hours of deliveries

Ref No: 14/02877/FUL    (Rural West Ward)

Applicant:      Skelwith Group  Contact Mr Jeremy Williams      Consultation Expiry Date        9 February 2015 Case Officer:   Erik Matthews   Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       Former Civil Service Club Boroughbridge Road York YO26 6BZ

Proposal:       Residential development of 271 dwellings with associated access, public open space, landscaping and infrastructure

Ref No: 14/02979/FULM   (Rural West ward)

Applicant:      Miller Homes Ltd      Contact Mr Jason Tait   Consultation Expiry Date        11 February 2015 Case Officer:   Jonathan Kenyon Expected Decision Level COMP

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Westfield

Location:       26 Wenham Road York YO24 3GH

Proposal:       Two storey side extension

Ref No: 14/02872/FUL

Applicant:      Mr John Andrews Contact Mr Josh Mann    Consultation Expiry Date        9 February 2015 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       237 Hamilton Drive West York YO24 4PL

Proposal:       Change of use from a dwelling (use class C3) to House in Multiple Occupation (use class C4)

Ref No: 14/02900/FUL

Applicant:      Mr & Mrs Scammell       Contact Mr Jake Clay    Consultation Expiry Date        9 February 2015 Case Officer:   David Johnson   Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       Co-Op Travel 47 York Road Acomb York YO24 4LN

Proposal:       Installation of ventilation and extract system and alterations to shopfront

Ref No: 14/02950/FUL

Applicant:      DPSK Ltd        Contact Mr Jonathan Rainey      Consultation Expiry Date        9 February 2015 Case Officer:   Victoria Bell   Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       Co-Op Travel 47 York Road Acomb York YO24 4LN

Proposal:       Change of use from retail unit (use class A1) to takeaway (use class A5), and single storey rear extension

Ref No: 14/02955/FUL

Applicant:      DPSK Ltd        Contact Mr Jonathan Rainey      Consultation Expiry Date        9 February 2015 Case Officer:   Victoria Bell   Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       15 Front Street York YO24 3BW

Proposal:       Display of 4.no externally illuminated  fascia signs and 2.no externally illuminated hoarding signs

Ref No: 14/02965/ADV

Applicant:      W Boyes & Co Ltd        Contact R Peter Belt & Associates       Consultation Expiry Date        9 February 2015 Case Officer:   Victoria Bell   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/

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

Further consultation on Minerals and Waste plan for York and North Yorkshire

North Yorkshire County Council, the City of York Council and the North York Moors National Park Authority are producing a Minerals and Waste Joint Plan covering all three planning authority areas. 

Rufforth waste plan

 

The latest draft of the waste plan shows changes to the Harewood Whin (Rufforth) site boundary on page 36.

The three minerals and waste planning authorities have responsibility for preparing a long term plan containing land use planning policies to help take decisions about matters such as where, when and how minerals and waste developments should take place.

 Further information including the main Supplementary Sites Consultation document  is available on the Joint Plan website: www.northyorks.gov.uk/mwconsult

 

 The main purpose of this consultation is to seek your views on the additional and revised sites that are contained in this document.

The consultation period for this stage of the Joint Plan will run until Friday 13th March 2015 and all responses must be received by 5pm on that day. 

Key York planning decisions scheduled for 22nd January

Future of B&Q, former Council offices and Del Monte sites to be determined

B & Q Hull Road

Sainsbury’s have applied to convert the premises into retail food store with external alterations including reconfiguration of the shop front, canopy, installation of new customer cafe and associated toilets, installation of ATMs, removal of existing garden centre and builders yard and reconfiguration of site access and customer car park.

The store will have 5,591 Sq m of retail floor space and 505 car parking spaces.

There have been 93 objections to the proposal mainly on transport grounds. Several competitor traders have also objected.

71 people have written in support of the plan.

The application is recommended for approval but will be referred to the Secretary of State who will decide whether to call it in for further consideration.

Del Monte site Skelton

The application seeks outline consent for the use of the site for residential development for up to 60 dwellings. The site has previously been used as a factory, which was demolished last year.

20% of the homes will be “affordable”.

The application is recommended for approval. If approved the new homes will reduce the pressure to build on Green Belt land.

Offices to be turned into homes

Offices to be turned into homes

 Former Council offices, 1-9 St Leonards Place

 This application seeks planning permission for the change of use of 1-9 St Leonard’s and 2- 4 Museum St, and includes the former stable block to the rear.

At present these buildings are vacant and were last used as City of York Council offices. The applicants wish to convert the buildings into 5 town houses and 29 apartments.

The former stable block would be converted to 1 mews house with a double garage and 5 mews houses over 5 double garages would be developed along the rear lane. The layout of the existing St Leonard’s place car park would be revised to create a private car park with 30 parking spaces. Gates and railings would be reinstated around the car park area.

The Council is seeking a contribution of £298,169 towards the provision of “off site” affordable housing. Concerns about air quality for rooms facing St Leonard’s Place, means that windows will be fixed and fresh air ventilation will be drawn mechanically from the rear of the buildings.

The application is recommended for approval together with a parallel application which would permit limited works to the Listed building. This is another project that will reduce the pressure for building on the Green Belt.

  1. Planning permission is also recommended for approved at Hagg Lane, Dunnington for the extension of a car park currently used during the week by Costcutter staff and of Saturdays by footballers.

Government boost for brownfield housing in York

York central site among 29 nationwide to be shortlisted for financial help.

York central site

York central site

Campaigners seeking to protect York’s Green Belt have welcomed a government initiative which could accelerate the development of housing on the York Central site.

Papers released on Friday suggest that it may be designated as a “Housing Zone”

Development of the site (behind the railway station) has been stalled since the start of the recession in 2008.

In 2011 the then LibDem led Council agreed a Local Plan which would have seen 1780 dwellings built on the site which enjoys excellent transport links and a full range of services within walking distance.

Although the Labour led Council has since tried to pare down that number, the government scheme could provide a big boost.

Most housing zones are expected to be big enough for between 750 and 2,000 homes. Successful bids were submitted by councils working with developers> They were invited to bid for a share of £200 million for infrastructure and land remediation to get their ideas off the ground.

Successful zones will  have access to cheaper borrowing from the Public Works Loan Board and priority access to expert planning and technical support from the ATLAS service run by the Homes and Communities Agency.

It remains to be seen whether the York site will be one of the 10 finally chosen to benefit from the additional funding.

Since the announcement was made on 8th January there has only been stony silence from the Councils Labour “leadership”.

More details of the scheme can be read on the government web site (click)

Guildhall future – review meeting scheduled for 19th January

Labour’s plans to spend £9.2 million creating a “Digital Media Centre” (DMC) at the York Guildhall will be up for review on 19th January

York Guildhall

York Guildhall

The Guildhall has been largely unused for 2 years.

The Council first proposed to fund a DMC in July 2012  when “only” £1.4 million was earmarked for a partnership project. The figure has “grown like topsy” since then. The preferred site in 2012 was the Bonding Warehouse.

Labour have been pouring money into the scheme since the summer of 2013 – when they still enjoyed an overall majority on the Council. They failed to secure broad backing for their plans and a bid for Lottery Funding subsequently failed.

A hastily convened Cabinet meeting on 16th December 2014 agreed to spend another £500,000 on design work plus financial, procurement and legal support.

 Up to £100,000 is also to be spent on interim repairs to the Guildhall as it is clear that any new DMC use could not be operational for at least 3 years.

The argument for providing space for digital industries (which are a modest, but expanding, part of the local economy) is that the private sector will not fund offices where there is no guarantee of long term use. Some digital companies expand and contract the amount of space that they use on a regular basis.

Lack of a stable rental income is also the reason why the Council should not plunge further into debt to subsidise what would be a high risk venture.

It was presumably also the reason why no revenue budget for the DMC was published with the Council committee papers in December.  “Don’t know” is a poor basis on which to make an investment decision.

The original reports, which sought to forecast demand for this type of casual use, are out of date (DMZ report 2011 for Science City). There is a lot of office space available in the City not least that associated with Higher Education facilities. The workshops, established by the private sector, in partnership with the last Council, at Clifton Moor,  often have vacant spaces.

So what now?

The Council should not throw good money after bad. It needs to pause and ensure that other options are fully explored.

The Guildhall complex could be offered on the open market to see what interest is generated. It is a prime site and could accommodate a range of shopping, hotel and office uses.

The historic (listed) Guildhall itself must be properly conserved and accessible to the public. While this might inhibit some potential uses the approach can be similar to that which has seen the Assembly Rooms, De Grey Rooms and (most recently) the Theatre Royal building being successfully taken over by a local conservation charity.

Such an approach would not rule out small office space being provided which is suitable for digital media arts  use but the risk, and cost, to Council taxpayers would be reduced.

It is only when these avenues have been explored that the Council will know what viable options are available and an informed choice can then be made.

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It is unfortunate that, at a time when the DMC issue is coming to a head, the Councils involvement in the successful bid to become a UNESCO City of Media Arts is coming into question.  

The problems arise from an apparent lack of candor about the amount that the bid, and the subsequent programme of activities, will cost taxpayers. Freedom of information requests have revealed some surprisingly high consultancy fees and opaque appointment processes  while two years ago the cost of trips to south east Asia had raised eyebrows.

Time for some public accountability on this issue we think.

Councillor Bleep in line for planning role in York

Following the black farce which unwrapped the last time the York Councils “Urgency” committee met, there seems to be some hope that the forces of darkness will be defeated at the resumed meeting now scheduled for the 19th January.

GimliOfficials are suggesting that committee membership should be reflect the proportion of seats held by each group represented on the Council.

Hardly a radical suggestion as proportionality has been a guiding principal for the York Council for the last 25 years.

It means that the much maligned Cllr Healey will become a member of the Local Plan Working group in place of Cllr Watt (who has apparently joined the Mordor tree preservation Group)