Chesney Field meeting leaves many unanswered questions

Chesney’s Field development plan

Last nights “drop in” briefing, at which some residents were given the opportunity to see how Council officials want to see Chesney’s Field developed, produced more questions than answers.

The plan to fence off part of the popular piece of public open space had already got off to a poor start when it was found that neither local Ward Councillors not the Residents Association had been consulted.

It now appears that flyers advertising the exhibition were only delivered to a small number of properties. Attendance at the event was modest.

The Residents Association will be organising another meeting in August to review the proposals.

What is now clear is that the plans involve over 60% of the field being enclosed with 1 metre high railings. This is intended to accommodate the preferences of a football club (Woodthorpe Wanderers) which faces eviction from the Council owned pitches at Lowfields.

A shipping container storage type building may also be left on the field and some levelling work would be undertaken. The playground is unlikely to be affected.

Although officials say that access gates would remain unlocked, the fencing would effectively eliminate some types of sporting activity, such as cricket, and could inhibit other uses.  Activities would tend to concentrate around the perimeter, nearer to peoples homes.

There is an option to include an “outdoor gym” or “trim track” (the Acorn field or Foxwood Park remain other location possibilities for these).

Survey – click to complete

The Council says that – to make up for the loss of the playing fields at Lowfields which the Council hopes to build on – additional open space will be provided near the college on Tadcaster Road (over a mile from the existing pitches). Perhaps not surprisingly, the existing users of the Lowfields pitches feel that this is too far away to meet their needs (and is unlikely to address the concerns of playing field conservation bodies both local and national).

The £40,000 expenditure will be mainly used at Tadcaster Road.

Local Councillors will be consulting directly through a door to door survey over the next 3 weeks. Around 1000 homes will be visited.  Residents will then be able to give their verdict on whether they want to see any changes to the field.

Early responses to the survey suggest that most people would prefer the football club to stay at Lowfields.

One option would be for the Woodthorpe Wanderers football club to play on Chesneys Field – with the benefit of levelled pitches – but without any fencing.

As the concern seems to relate to the possible fouling of the pitches by dogs, additional poop scoop bins could be provided together with more warning signs. We think this will probably meet most peoples concerns. Any storage unit could be located more discretely behind the landscaping mound on the other side of Foxwood Lane

Residents are also being given the chance in the survey to say whether they want a fitness tract and/or outdoor gym.

The survey can also be completed “on line” click

The results are expected at the end of August

 

 

 

“Good gym” makes difference in Foxwood Park

Volunteers from “Good Gym” joined local residents yesterday evening in a crash clean up of the perimeter of part of the Foxwood Park.

Good gym is an excellent idea. Rather than pay to use equipment and lift weights in an indoor gym, volunteers use the energy to help the local community.

Their web site is https://www.goodgym.org/areas/york

Good gym volunteers get to work

Good turn out in Foxwood Park last night

Removing a difficult stump

Neil and Sheena tackle broken tree branches

Residents object to York Councils plans to build on playing field

Action Group flyer delivered in Tudor Road area

Residents have until 31st July to object to the latest plan to build on Lowfields playing fields.

The plan, published by the Council with little advance notice, was subject to a “drop in ” consultation last week. However residents can still record their views direct to the Council at the following Email address lowfield.development@york.gov.uk.

Overall the development has now increased in size to nearly 200 homes reinforcing concerns about the impact that additional traffic will have on the neighbourhood.

The plan would seen another open green space – currently used for sports – built on.

An Action Group has published a detailed critique which can be downloaded by clicking this link http://tinyurl.com/LowJulyob

It is likely that opposition will increase if the Council carries out their threat to move a football team from the Lowfields site onto Chesneys Field.

The move could mean part of the public open space lying next to Foxwood Lane being fenced off. A consultation “drop in” on the £40,000 proposals- again with very little advance notice –  is taking place at Acorn Rugby Club on Tuesday between 4:00pm and 6:00pm

 

 

 

That was the week that was in west York in picture

Local Councillors Sue Hunter and Sheena Jackson led a litter pick at Chesney’s Field. There is a question mark about the future of the park as the Council have allocated £40,000 to spend on fencing and other “improvements”. There is a drop in exhibition at the Acorn Rugby club on Tuesday (4:00pm – 6:00pm) at which plans can be viewed.

Fire damaged a wheat field on Acomb Moor

Sheena is arranging for some damaged trees at the Foxwood park to be trimmed

Sheena and Sue also helped to clean up the Tedder Road play area. Some of the equipment there does need to be refreshed

Great display of flowers greets Yorkshire in Bloom judges as they visit Acomb

Sue joined local resident Andrea Cropper to give the steps on Acomb Green a good clean

We said farewell to the payphone on Acomb Wood Drive. Several will be removed as the inevitable consequence of blanket mobile phone usage.

Sue joined a new group which is meeting at Sanderson House each Thursday morning. Local residents are invited to drop in

A large number of people came to the health walk on Friday – next one on Friday 25 August leaving Foxwood Community Centre Bellhouse Way York YO24 3HY at 10.30am

Unfortunately there have been some instances of vandalism to report this week. The Police have started “Operation Liberate” to coincide with the start of the school holidays. The operation will focus on targeting and decreasing anti-social behaviour across the city of York throughout the summer period. The police say, “Should you witness any anti-social behaviour occurring or are a victim of anti-social behaviour, then please contact us ASAP”

The Foxwood Residents Association had another successful meeting on Thursday

We reported the snickets in The Reeves as being in need of resurfacing

& the week ended with the return of the Acomb market – which was well attended again – while the Foxwood in Bloom contest was also judged

Latest planning application 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

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9A Hawkshead Close York YO24 2YF

Single storey rear extension

Ref. No: 17/01660/FUL 

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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/

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

Foxwood in Bloom contest – “Stunning displays”

Judges have praised the high standard of entries in this years Foxwood in Bloom contest.

Residents were asked to nominate baskets and tubs which made the greatest contribution to the street scene in the area.  Judges described some of the entries as “stunning”

Prize winners are being notified this weekend and full results will be announced next week.

The contest is organised by the Foxwood Residents Association and has become a regular fixture on the calendar.

This years judge was Matt Reid from Easigrass gardens

Last year the Foxwood Residents Association won a gold award in the Yorkshire in Bloom contest. This year the Acomb Alive traders organisation have entered the Front Street area in a similar contest organised by Yorkshire in Bloom

More on Chesney Field “improvements”

The Council have now Emailed local Councillors giving an outline of the “improvements” that they hope to make on Chesney Field in Foxwood.

The main – and most controversial – proposal is to fence off several of the existing pitches. This is ostensibly to prevent dog fouling although similar initiatives in the Foxwood and Cornlands parks have had limited success.

The plan would conflict with the main role of what is now the largest area of public open space remaining in the Westfield area.

The Council say they are inviting residents to suggest improvements for the rest of the area, citing a “trim track” and “outdoor gym” as options.

The annual survey of public opinion, currently being conducted in the area, is already asking for views on the provision of an outdoor gym either on Chesney Field or on the Foxwood Park..

So far there seems to be limited interest.

The Foxwood Residents Association at their meeting yesterday criticised the Councils handling of the proposals. The Association has still not been consulted on the plans and will, therefore, invite a senior council official to their next meeting, to discuss the communications break down.

In the meantime the “drop in” consultation event is still scheduled to take place next Tuesday (25th) at the Acorn Rugby Club between 4:00pm and 6:00pm

The residents meeting also heard from Ward Councillor Sheena Jackson who outlined an official response to several proposed changes to parking restrictions in the area. The Association felt that additional restrictions were necessary on part of Cranfield Place and on Foxwood Lane near its junction with Bellhouse Way (high numbers). If the Association is not formally consulted in the meantime, they will lobby the decision making meeting which is scheduled to take place on 14th September.

 

 

Chesneys Field future – meeting on Tuesday

The Council is delivering flyers inviting some people to an event where they say “improvements” to Chesney’s Field will be revealed.

The “drop in” is scheduled to take place next Tuesday at the Acomb Rugby Club starting at 4:00pm

The Council has not said what “improvements” they plan. They have not consulted either local Ward Councillors or the Residents Association.

A disrespectful approach destined to stir up the maximum amount of hostility and resentment we think!