The week that was in pictures 17th Dec 2016

Good work by the Council in clearing leaves fin the Burgess walk and Doherty Walk areas. Still waiting for action in Greenwood Grove

Good work by the Council in clearing leaves fin the Burgess Walk and Doherty Walk areas. Still waiting for action in Greenwood Grove

Locla Coucnillorsd Sheena Jackson and Andrew Waller have reported problems with potholes on Herman Walk and Huntsman's Walk, worn carriageway surfaces in Vincent Way plus fly-tipping in Greenwood Grove and in Woodford Place

Local Councillors Sheena Jackson and Andrew Waller have reported problems with potholes on Herman Walk and Huntsman’s Walk, worn carriageway surfaces in Vincent Way plus fly-tipping in Greenwood Grove and in Woodford Place

The Council have told local residents that the planned site for additional car parking spaces on Spurr Court/Bellhouse Way is unsuitable. A junction box restricts access to the site. Instead the Council are looking to provide more spaces in the Oldman Court area

The Council have told local residents that the planned site for additional car parking spaces on Spurr Court/Bellhouse Way is unsuitable. A junction box restricts access to the site. Instead the Council are looking to provide more spaces in the Oldman Court area

Although we are experiencing mild weather there is likely to be an icy spell sooner or later. Residents are asked to check that salt bins are full (and not filled with litter!)

Although we are experiencing mild weather there is likely to be an icy spell sooner or later. Residents are asked to check that salt bins are full (and not filled with litter!)

Dringhouses Councillor Stephen Fenton was one of those attending a sell out 1868 concert re-enactment at Dringhouses Library

Dringhouses Councillor Stephen Fenton (right) was one of those attending a sell out 1868 concert re-enactment at Dringhouses Library

....and the week ended with the last Acomb Street market for this year. The next is scheduled for 28th January 2017

….and the week ended with the last Acomb Street market for this year. The next is scheduled for 28th January 2017

Lowfields battle goes on

The Council’s Executive has tonight endorsed plans to build on the Lowfields playing fields.

The decision was not unexpected.

Many residents were angered by a Council announcement that they intended to build on the Lowfields playing fields - braking a promise given when the school was closed 8 years ago. A petition is being collected and representations to the government are planned.

Petition sent to Council

However, it represents only the opening shots in what is likely to be a long war.

No Councillor attempted to explain why the proposal is being brought forward before objections to the draft Local Plan have been considered.

In reality it is a pre-emptive stike aimed at maximising the sale price of the site.

The meeting also heard that officials had been negotiating for some time with the communal building group although they omitted to include this development option in papers circulated to residents in the autumn.

Council officials continue to pretend that the majority of local residents support their plans. They have so far refused to respond to the views set by respondents to a survey collected by local Councillors in September

A residents group has been set up and they will be lobbying both local planners and central government in the fight to conserve the playing fields.

The issue will be discussed again at a Council meeting taking place on 15th December.

Any building project outside the old-school building footprint will need central government approval and that is likely to be the next battlefield.

Lowfields residents form action group to oppose playing field development

save-lowfields-playing-fields-tiltA new residents action group has written to Executive Councillors asking them to oppose development on a school playing field at a meeting tomorrow.

Residents had been told by the Council that only the built footprint of the old Lowfields school site, would be developed but that promise now seems likely to be broken.

A petition has been sent to the Council.

Residents are threatening to refer the matter to the Ombudsman as officials have not reported the results of a door to door survey of opinion, taken in the autumn, to tomorrows meeting. The survey had revealed strong opposition to the development of the playing field.

Questions have also been raised about to the role of the NHS and Police Commissioner in the plan which involves the relocation of a local GP surgery and the re-siting of Acomb Police station.

Foxwood Community Centre rate relief application set to fail

A Christmas market was held on Sunday as volunteers tried to raise funds for the centre.

A Christmas market was held on Sunday as volunteers tried to raise funds for the centre.

Wednesday’s meeting of the York Council’s Executive is being recommended not to provide Discretionary Rate relief for the, now volunteer run, Foxwood Community Centre.

The Foxwood Community Centre’s Business Rating valuation was recently increased from £6000 to £7000.

Discretionary relief – which reduces the proportion of the bill payable –  was routinely granted to the centre when it was Council funded.

The report to tomorrow’s meeting criticises the lack of a “Community Impact Assessment” (CIA) which officials say should have been submitted with the rebate application.  Any CIA would be little different from that produced for the Council in previous years.

14 other charitable organisations in the city are also being denied relief. They include the Tang Hall Community Centre and the Theatre Royal.

NB A reduction for the Chapelfields community centre at Sanderson House is recommended for approval.  This will be worth £2,592 to the centre.

Hob Stones homes occupied

Families have finally been able to move into the new Hob Stones development on Windsor Garth. The development was over 18 months behind schedule. 

There is still a lot of tidying up to do and people living in nearby flats have complained about damage to grassed areas and inadequate road repairs.

These issues are being followed up by local Councillors.

The building compound area will need major remedial worki

The building compound area will need major remedial work

There has been a lot of damage to grassed areas although this one opposite the new development could provide additional car parking spaces

There has been a lot of damage to grassed areas although this one opposite the new development could provide additional car parking spaces

Some carrigeways have now been resurfaced

Some carriageways have now been resurfaced

Although we have reported a ,lot of detritus in the gutters

Although we have reported a lot of detritus in the gutters

On Hob Stones itself the new play area has not been completed.

On Hob Stones itself, the new play area has not been completed.

....but it appears that the developers have pulled back for their threat to remove the security railings from the northern boundary. The railings are still there and in need of a coat of paint. They should make life more difficult for criminals

….but it appears that the developers have pulled back from their threat to remove the security railings from the northern boundary. The railings are still there albeit in need of a coat of paint. The railings will make life more difficult for criminals