The controversial survey on barriers to house builidng in York discussed by the York Cabinet last year may finally be made available to the public.

In response to a question from Ann Reid, the newly charmless Cllr Laign has said,

“I would remind Cllr Reid that the findings from the GYB consultation were summarised in the report considered by Cabinet in February.

However, it is acknowledged that not all the information from developers is commercially sensitive and I have asked officers to prepare a redacted version”.

Further research suggests that Yorkshire Housings plans, to shoehorn 56 new homes onto the site of the former Our Lady’s school, could involve densities of 82 dwelling per hectare (dph)

Our Lady’s school site

This far exceeds the guidelines set out in the Council draft Local Plan.

Even City centre locations – where blocks of flats increase densities – rarely exceed 80

The Local Plan recommendations on housing densities are:

• City Centre and City Centre Extension Zone: 80-100 dwellings per hectare

• York urban area: 50 dwellings per hectare This includes site like Our Lady’s

• Major Expansion Areas and New Settlements: 50 Dwellings per hectare

• Suburban area (incl. Haxby & Wigginton): 40 dwellings per hectare

• Rural and Villages: 30 dwellings per hectare

The published draft local plan envisaged 29 dwellings on the site.

The latest drawing also suggest that the playing fields will be built on while the nature reserve, established by the school, is also threatened.

We know that Council officials have been consulted on these controversial proposals.

It remains to be seen why they have been allowed to progress to the public consultation stage.

Leaflets advertising an exhibition of the proposals are being circulated. It will take place between 3pm – 6pm on Tuesday the 30th July, 2013 at: Acorn ARL Sports and Social Club on Thanet Road.

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

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

Location: 6 Middleton Road York YO24 3AS Ref No: 13/02396/LHE Proposal: Erection of single storey extension extending 4 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a height to the eaves of 2.300 metres and a total height of 3.300 metres Applicant: Mr And Mrs Thomas Contact Coral Windows Consultation Expiry Date 12 August 2013 Case Officer: Elizabeth Potter Expected Decision Level DEL

Location: 66 Slessor Road York YO24 3JG Ref No: 13/02384/FUL Proposal: Two storey and single storey side extension and erection of boundary wall (resubmission) Applicant: Miss Lisa Swift Consultation Expiry Date 12 August 2013 Case Officer: Heather Fairy (Mon – Wed) Expected Decision Level DEL

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.

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Last week the Press followed up our story about the York Council objecting to a government initiative which would have seen empty City centre property brought into residential use.

The Council leader James Alexander said then, “There is a real concern that, in the present economic climate, some property-owners may take only a very short-term view and seek to dispose of existing office accommodation for residential uses.

Former Liberal Democrat council leader Steve Galloway said the authority’s move was “likely to be a blow to those hoping to bring empty commercial properties back into use”, as his party opposes plans for thousands of new homes on green belt land through the council’s draft Local Plan.

Coun Alexander claimed the Lib Dems were suggesting such housing conversions as a “misguided” alternative solution to York’s “homes crisis

A week later and we see a breathtaking double reverse somersault with twist as The Press reveals that as many as 800 additional flats could be converted out of unused commercial space in City centre buildings

The local newspaper reports, “The Press can reveal the city has been awarded £450,000 to help convert the upper floors of the old White Swan hotel in Piccadilly into 18 flats, and hundreds more city-centre flats could now follow elsewhere, to go some way to easing the city’s housing crisis”.

Council leader James Alexander said the work between various organisations on the White Swan project, coupled with the study’s conclusions, “provides evidence of a wealth of potential accommodation for people or businesses which supports our ambition for new homes and jobs, as outlined in the Local Plan”.

He said the council’s role on the White Swan indicated its willingness and innovation to help turn city-centre premises into homes.

The building’s upper floors have been empty for more than 30 years, but talks are now ongoing between the council, the White Swan’s owners and the Fabrick Group, which runs the Tees Valley Housing Association.

What is called a “drop in” meeting has been called by the Council tomorrow to discuss their plans for major development in the Green Belt in and near the Westfield Ward.

Meeting details – Thursday 11 July 2013 between 4.00pm-7.00pm in The Oak room, The Gateway Centre, Front Street, Acomb.

Many “Save the Green belt” supporters are likely to attend the event at about 5:30pm.

Cllr Lynn Jeffries has agreed to present the “Save Acomb Moor” petition to the Council at its meeting on 18th July.