Hob Stones planning application changes now on York Council web site

Details of the proposed changes to the Hob Stones development on Windsor Garth can now be found on the Council’s web site

The planning application can be read by clicking here

An explanation for the proposed changes from the builder can be found by clicking here

Residents have until 9th August to record any objections.

Unfortunately, the applicant appears to have attempted to drown the application in a sea of documentation much of which replicates the papers submitted 3 years ago. Hopefully the Council will reorder the papers to make it clearer just precisely what changes are being proposed.

click to access

click to access

More delays at Windsor Garth “Hob Stones” development

Hobstones building workThe media are reporting that there will be further delays before the “Hob Stones” development will be occupied. The development, located on the former Our Lady’s school site next to Hob Moor, has been branded the unluckiest development in Yorkshire.

The school closed in 2012

The high density development was subject to objections from local residents and amenity groups when it sought planning permission in 2013.

Building work started in May 2014.

Still no sign of repair to the carriageway in Windsor Garth

Still no sign of repair to the carriageway in Windsor Garth

Later the appointed building contractors went bust adding another 18 months to the development timetable.

Now it appears that some of the houses, and an access road, have not been built in the correct positions.  Although the variances are claimed to be very small it means that a retrospective planning application will be needed to regularise the situation.

This will mean a further delay of about 3 months before the homes are occupied.

The development has been heavily criticised by neighbouring residents who have lived with a “nightmare” of poorly parked vehicles, road damage and congestion caused by building trucks for the last three years.

At the time of writing no revised planning application had been submitted by the developers Yorkshire Housing to the York Council.

Action taken to report issues in the Hob Moor area

Ascot Way area should be used to ease car parking problems

Unused area on Ascot Way should be used to ease car parking problems

We've reported that repairs are need to bus stop bording areas on Hamilton Drive

We’ve reported that repairs are needed to bus stop boarding areas on Hamilton Drive

Kick about area needs litter removing

“Kick about area” needs litter removing

Carriageway is uneven at Quuenswood Grove/ Hamilton Drive junction

Carriageway is uneven at Queenswood Grove/Hamilton Drive junction

Salt bin on Ascot Way has been vandalised

Salt bin on Ascot Way has been vandalised

cat found

Cat found

Green waste dumped next to Hob Moor beck

Green and other waste dumped next to Hob Moor beck

Road markings in Middleton Road hammerhead have worn away

Road markings in Stuart Road hammerhead have worn away

Witness appeal following theft on Hob Moor

Hob Moor

Hob Moor

 At about 8.50am on Tuesday 15 December 2015, the victim was walking along the track on Hob Moor Fields towards York, when he was approached by two men who were walking in the opposite direction, towards Acomb.

One of the men put his arm out and stopped the victim, and asked him to hand over any money or his watch. When the victim hesitated, he asked him again. The victim complied and handed the man £18 and his watch. Both of the men then ran off in the direction of York.

The first man is described as white, aged in his early twenties, 6ft 2ins tall, athletic build and broad shoulders. At the time of the incident he was wearing a black Adidas hoody which was pulled up over his head, light grey tracksuit bottoms and black trainers. He had an Irish accent. 

The other man is described as white, aged in his early twenties, 6ft tall and average build. He had the lower half of his face covered with possibly a black scarf and only his eyes were visible. He was wearing a black hoody which was pulled up over his head, loose fitting blue jeans and black Nike trainers. He had a Yorkshire accent. 

PC Amanda Popely, of York Police, said: “I am asking for witnesses who saw anyone in the area of Hob Moor Fields at the time to contact the police, as they may have important information that could assist the investigation.”

If you have any information about the theft, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101, select option 2, and ask for PC Amanda Popely or York Police. You can also email amanda.popely@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Please quote reference number 12150221963 in connection with this incident.

Appeal for information – 13-year-old boy assaulted in Hob Moor, York.

A 13-year-old local boy has been assaulted on the cycle track between Hob Moor and Tadcaster Road in York.
At 3.30pm on Wednesday 25 November 2015, a young man aged approximately 19 to 20-years-old forcefully grabbed the young victim and pulled him off his bicycle and shook him violently. 

Fortunately the victim did not require hospital treatment but has been left distressed by the incident.

Officers are appealing for information about the assault and are urging anyone who witnessed the incident to come forward.

In particular, they are appealing for information about a white man aged 19 to 20-years-old, about 6ft tall of medium build with short curly ginger hair.  The man was wearing a black hoody and blue or black trousers and was seen to by riding a blue BMX bicycle.

Anyone with information that could assist the investigation should contact police on 101, select option 2, and ask for Constable James Mills. You can also email james.mills@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk

Please quote North Yorkshire Police reference number 12150209471.

If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Esh Construction to take over “Hobstone” development

Hob Stone development 20th June 2015Yorkshire Housing has appointed new contractors to complete homes at three developments which had been on hold due to contractor Southdale Homes going into administration.

 Esh Construction will take over work at Hob Stone which is located off Windsor Garth in York.

Work on the site is expected to recommenced later in July. Some of the properties are expected to be occupied before the end of the year.

18 months ago, the development met a lot of opposition when it was revealed that the Labour Council would almost double the number of houses to be built on the former school site.

Since then, progress has been very slow with growing concerns about the development’s impact on the neighbouring Hob Moor nature area as well as pressures on local transport systems