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
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167 Gale Lane York YO24 3AG
Proposal Two storey side extension
Reference 16/02704/FUL
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211 Hamilton Drive West York YO24 4PL
Proposal Single storey side extension
Reference 16/02651/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
That was the week that was in west York in pictures 3rd Dec 2016
White line man was at work on Tudor Road. Unfortunately he didn’t make it to School Street where the “no entry” signs badly need repainting
The new Christmas lights in Acomb prompted an innovative display on the bar walls. Both complimented the traditional feel in the Shambles
Dumping was reported in Kempton Close
and in Askham Lane
…as was graffiti on a junction box in Kir Crescent
Occupants started to move into the “completed” Hob Stones development on Windsor Garth. We told the developer that there was still a lot of remedial work to do on paths, roads and grassed areas.
Residents learned of the Environment Agencies plans to build a 2.8 metre high flood wall along part of Hob Moor. The aim would be to prevent flooding from Holgate Beck
Many residents were angered by a Council announcement that they intended to build on the Lowfields playing fields – beaking a promise given when the school was closed 8 years ago. A petition is being collected and representations to the government are planned.
What’s on in York: Christmas Market at Foxwood Community Centre tomorrow (Sunday)
New Lowfields Focus newsletter published
Council snubs Lowfields residents
Lowfields plans
The York Council is being recommended at a meeting being held on 7th December to go ahead with the development of the playing fields on the former school site in Lowfields. There are no major changes from the layout presented for public consultation in September, although the Council says that steps will be taken to stop vehicles short cutting through the new Dijon Avenue to Tudor Road access route.
There has been broad support from respondents for the Elderly Persons Home, bungalows and apartments which will be provided on the east (Green Lane) side of the site. These will be located on the “footprint” of the former school buildings.
Otherwise the Council has ignored or suppressed the results of public opinion surveys undertaken on the future of the playing fields.
However, the latest scheme would, in addition to the 52 older person’s units, see as many as 110 houses shoe-horned onto the sports field including 17 self-build and “community build” plots. This would make the development one of the densest in sub – urban York. A large number of independent builders would be involved meaning that the development timetable could be fragmented over a period of 5 years or more (building work would be scheduled to start in Autumn 2018).
The plans still involve the relocation of the GP surgery from its present site on Cornlands Road. A relocation of the recently refurbished Acomb Police depot from its purpose built Acomb Road premises is also planned.
Both would mean much more traffic entering and leaving the area.
The uncompromising stance of the Council comes at a time when sites for over 1600 additional homes have recently been identified on redundant MOD land in the City. This news caused the Council to put back its “Local Plan” preparation by 6 months. In turn this means that the objections registered on the sports field development will not be considered before next week’s meeting.
The Council’s move appears to be dictated by the need to generate £4.5 million from the sale of the site. The York Council’s financial position is precarious following decisions to fund a new £12 million sports centre at Monks Cross and a £4.7million “health and well-being” project on the Burnholme school site.
If approved on Wednesday, the proposals will still have to gain planning permission.
There are strong legislative safeguards for playing fields (of which there is a shortage on the west of the City).
The Council leadership will therefore have a far from easy ride if they persist in trying to develop the Lowfields sports fields without broad public support.
Residents are organising a petition opposing the development of the sports field
What’s on in York: Christmas market on Sunday
Acomb Christmas lights “switch on” in pictures
Busy market
getting busier
Cheers
Panto time?
Red sky at night
The only way is up
Crowds getting bigger
and bigger
Waiting for Santa
He’s arrived
Lights
Green switch on
It really works!
Library lights
Acomb lit up
With thanks to Syue Hunter, the Acomb Alive team and Minster FM who made yesterday so successful.
Next market on Friday 16th December
Would you believe it! York Local Plan put back another 6 months.
After all the dire warnings about government intervention if a new York Local Plan wasn’t adopted in 2017, the Council is set to delay publication for another 6 months.
They claim the delay is due to new sites becoming available for development. Essentially these are the MOD sites on Fulford Road and at Strensall. Potentially these sites could accommodate around 1695 homes and would reduce the pressure to build on greenbelt land.
A meeting on 5th December 2016 will receive an update report
Even after any amendments are incorporated into the plan, further consultation will be necessary while transport, delivery and sustainability reports will have to be prepared.
Strangely the report fails to assess what central governments reaction to the increased timescales might be. Previously the City has been threatened with an “imposed” plan by London. That threat now seems to have disappeared.
In the meantime, some developers are likely to spot the main chance and submit planning applications for individual sites. The Council will be able to give little weight to its emerging Local Plan when fending off unsuitable proposals.
It could also be faced with difficult decisions on land that it owns. This would include the Lowfields school site; the development of the playing fields there having attracted objections during the consultation on the Local Plan which took place during the summer. These objections have not yet been considered although a report is expected next week on the early development of the land.
Any delay will also add to the costs faced by taxpayers who will continue to fund the salaries of those temporary bureaucrats who should by now have moved on.
All in all then an unsatisfactory situation with many householders in the City living in homes blighted by uncertainties.
The York Council needs to up its game and set more testing deadlines for the completion of this process.
That was the week that was 26th Nov 2016
The week began with a tea dance at Acomb library
Cllr Sue Hunter (centre) visited Venturefest at the racecourse. The annual exhibition provides a showcase for local businesses
The Police sustained increased patrolling levels in Chapelfields. Fewer complaints about anti social behaviour across west York have been received this week
Councillors were out and about reporting issues for attention. These included leaf fall in Rylatt Place
Day burning street light reported by Andrew Waller
Graffiti in Acomb Green
and dumping and vandalism in the Beaconsfield Street back lane
Fly tipping
Car parking problems on School Street were reported. A survey is being undertaken to see whether residents want a ResPark scheme to be introduced in the area.
A new bollard was provided at the junction of Tudor Road and Kingsway West. Intended to improve road safety its precise effect is a puzzle to many
The week ended with today’s Acomb Market and Christmas lights switch on (4:00pm). Over £6000 was raised by voluntary donations to fund the lights