Noise complaints about Acorn Rugby ground event

We understand hat several residents complained about noise coming from an event taking pace at the Acorn Rugby ground yesterday (Sunday evening). The source of the complaint seems to have been bands playing outdoors. They stopped at 9:00pm.

We understand that this was a charity event although it is unclear whether it formed part of the councils summer holidays “Shine” programme as stated on publicity posters.

It is the second time that complaints about events at the rugby ground have been made. The organisers of another charity event, held in August, had resorted to sellotaping posters to the outside of local noticeboards, causing damage in one case. (information is posted within the noticeboards upon request)

Fly posting is often a source of complaint when fairs visit Thanet Road (as they will shortly).

New licensing arrangements, introduced a few years ago, mean that organisations no longer have to apply for special licences to organise events like these. Instead they rely on a  general license issued on request by the Council to land owners. (in this case the land is owned by the Council but it is on a long lease to the club).

Licences can be revoked if terms and conditions are not observed.

In this case, the frequency of outdoor events may be approaching the point where the license could be reviewed.

 

Beagle FC kick off with 2-2 draw

Foxwood’s new football team, Beagle FC, kicked off their Chesney Field fixtures with a 2-2 draw against Rufforth yesterday. The pub backed side were joined pre match by local Councillor Sheena Jackson.

Beagle FC’s next home fixture is on Saturday 8th September when they entertain Cawood. The match starts at 2:00pm.

Dog walkers please note: Please make every effort to ensure that dogs do not foul Chesneys Field. Poop scoop bins are provided. 

Sheena Jackson joins the Beagle FC before their game on 1st September.

Chapelfields looking better but delays to some repairs

Responding to a recent survey, local residents had said that litter and weed growth were one of their main concerns.

Good therefore to see this week that the Chapelfields estate is looking much tidier. Most gutters are weed free although the recent wet/warm weather will likely prompt further growth. Litter also seems to be under control.

We’ve reported one or two other public service issues that require attention.

The Council have been asked to give start date for promised additional lay-by on Bramham Ave. The provision of off street parking will make access easier for buses, bin lorries etc.

Notices put up to deter dog fouling

Grange Lane park largely litter free

Gutter in The Burn were reported and are now largely clear of weeds (although there are some on the footpath)

Still waiting for new fence on Walton Place snicket. Was ordered several months ago.

Graffiti on Grange Lane snicket needs to be removed

Lamppost 11 on Grange Lane is leaning. Reported for action

Telecoms junction box on Bramham Road vandalised

Sad to see garage 11 on the Bramham Road block still unused. Was reported to the Council 6 months ago.

Build outs make street cleaning and weed removal difficult

Weeds in St Stephens Square have not been treated this summer.

Trolley storage area on Acomb Car park needs a good clean

Foxwood take away rapped

Food premises where safety failings were identified have been fined £14,331.46 at York Magistrates Court today (28 August 2018).

Food premises where safety failings were identified have been fined £14,331.46 at York Magistrates Court today (28 August 2018).

A variety of food hygiene failures, including storing flour and rice in uncovered containers, were recently discovered by City of York Council’s food hygiene officers.

In some instances when the council issued advice and notices to improve, but required measures weren’t put in place to protect public health, legal action was taken.

Saffron Tandoori Spice, Unit 3 Acomb Wood Shopping Centre, Acomb Wood Drive, York

This relates to a food hygiene visit on 20 November 2017 and a further visit on 5 January 2018.

The premises and equipment were poor, and a previous visit to the premises had also been poor. There was a dirty light switch and pull chord, the hand wash basin for food handlers was dirty, the hand wash basin plug and chain were both encased with grease and food deposits. The food storage containers had old deposits attached due to inadequate washing, and there was a significant build up dirt around the kitchen doorframe.

This case is against Mr Thuhel Ahmed, aged 41 of Cowper Street, Leeds.  He is the owner of Saffron Tandoori Spice, Unit 3 Acomb Wood Shopping Centre, Acomb Wood Drive, York.

Mr Ahmed pleaded guilty to the two offences. The court heard that he had always tried his best to comply but the offences arose. He was fined £660 and ordered to ay a court surcharge of £66 and costs of £2,000 (a total of £2,726).

A spokesperson for City of York Council, said: “York offers many very good food premises and we want customers from the city and beyond to be confident in the quality of all the restaurants and takeaways they visit. Thanks to our food hygiene team’s vigilance, these issues have been identified and customers protected.

“We give advice which, if not complied with, can lead to legal action. We welcome customers reporting concerns to public.protection@york.gov.uk.

“Advice on food hygiene is available at www.york.gov.uk/FoodSafetyStandards or, any businesses wanting tailored advice and guidance, are welcome to call us on (01904) 551525.”

Latest planning applications for the Westfield Ward

Former Bank on York Road may be converted into 5 flats

 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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Address       HSBC 19 York Road Acomb York YO24 4LW

HSBC building could be converted into flats

Proposal      Conversion and extension of apartment and commercial premises into 5no. apartments with office space (class B1) to include one and two storey rear extension and railings to front.

Reference   18/01730/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

Lowfields – Residents hit back at Planning Councillors

The area to be built on has increased – and open space provision reduced – every time a new plan has been drawn up by officials

The Save Lowfields Playing Field Action Group have written to the Government Minister with responsibility for Planning asking him to “call in” the planning application to develop the sports field at Lowfields.

The proposal was approved by the Council’s Executive in July and two formal applications were debated by the same authorities planning committee last week. Two Councillors serve on both committees. They have been criticised for not declaring their interest.

There are procedures in place which seek to ensure that a Council is not judge and jury on planning applications for land that it owns. For many years there was a protocol in place which discouraged Councillors from taking places on both the Executive committee and the Planning committee. That safeguard seems to have been abandoned by the current administration.

What will come of this remains to be seen but is the latest in a series of controversial moves by the Council over this land.

A scheme for a care village gained widespread approval when it was tabled early in 2011. But the Council failed to implement the plan and the former school site lay abandoned for 7 years.  The expectation had been that only the “built footprint” of the school would be developed, but this changed when the then Tory leader of the Council, David Carr, appointed a “no win no fee” consultant to push through a large-scale redevelopment.

The consultant was only paid if he achieved milestones with his final payment depending on the planning application being successful. The large payments potentially involved  were revealed in a response to a Freedom of Information  request (ref: FT/5995) in February 2017. .

David Carr is also a member of the Planning Committee. He also did not declare an interest at last weeks meeting

Consultation results were manipulated by officials eager to demonstrate that the local community was in favour of the plans. This was done by lobbying supporters of one element of the scheme (communal housing).  They were encouraged to back the scheme by visiting the  Acomb Library and filling in comment forms or by doing so on line.

The Council didn’t ask residents which parts of the scheme they favoured and which they opposed.

A door to door survey by local Councillors revealed that residents supported the plans for the east of the site but wished to retain the sports pitch.

Residents cried “foul” when the Council wrote to local people to lobby for support within hours of submitting two planning applications in October 2017.

The Lowfields Residents Group submitted representations to the Planning Committee pointing to 11 reasons why outline planning permission for the development should not be granted.

None of the issues were addressed by Councillors or officials at the meeting.

One angry resident walked out of the planning meeting calling it “shameful”.

A video of the meeting can be viewed on You Tube via this link

Traffic calming plan for Thoresby Road?

Thoresby Road

The Council says it is considering how vehicle speeds on Thoresby Road can be controlled. It will discuss the issues involved at a meeting taking place on 13th September.

Details of the proposals are not yet available.

However, the street – which contains around 200 homes – is not a through route, so much of the problem arises from the use of vehicles by residents and their visitors.

In the past, physical works have not been consider practical because of the narrow width of the carriageway and the fact that on street parking has created a “chicane” effect which has slowed the speed of some vehicles.

There are plans to provide an additional off street parking layby at the low numbered end of the street.

Grange Lane

Separately the Council has decided to back a plan to designate the rural part of Grange Lane as a “restricted byway”. This means that the sections on both sides of the A1237 would be accessible by, not only pedestrians, but also cyclists, horse riders and those driving a “horse and cart”.

It is not clear how much additional maintenance expenditure would be incurred by the change (parts of the route tend to get overgrown) while safety concerns at the by pass junctions remain a real concern.