Major housing plans in York set to get go ahead next week

Proposals to develop two long term empty sites in York will be before the planning committee next week. Together the development of the sites could provide nearly 700 new homes in the City.

Gas works site, Heworth Green

The proposal is for the erection of a maximum of 625 residential apartments, 130 sqm of retail or community use floorspace.

Two gas governor compounds will be retained, and the site will be remediated with the old gasholder removed and gas pipes relocated underground.

The plans cover associated access, car parking, amenity space and landscaping after demolition of existing pipework, structures and telephone mast.

The brownfield site is allocated for housing in the revised York Local Plan. The site is no longer classified as contaminated.

The plans would see 370 one bed, 194 two bed and 61 three bed apartments built.

The report suggests that 20 social rent houses will be provided (off site) as part of the plans. In addition around 130 of the on-site apartments will be available for private rent, discounted by 30%.

There have been concerns registered about inadequate car parking arrangements and the York Civic Trust has said that the plans are an “overdevelopment”.

The development will cost £154 million. It is recommended for approval by Council officials.

Ashbank Shipton Road

Ashbank – scheduled to be converted into flats since 2013

Another long term empty property badly in need of redevelopment are the former Council offices at Ashbank. The building has been empty for over 8 years and is still owned by the York Council.

The application involves the demolition of Barleyfields and erection of 54 assisted living apartments and communal facilities. The modern extensions to Ashbank would be demolished and the building converted into 4 assisted living apartments. There would be changes to parking and landscaping arrangements.

Planning permission was previously granted for four 2½ storey dwellings to the rear of Ashbank with conversion of the villa to 5 apartments. This permission has not been implemented.

12 of the new units will be “affordable”

There have been 12 objections registered some connected with the loss of tree cover (although replacement planting is proposed) and building height

The site is classified as “brownfield”

Officials are recommending approval of the plans

York Central new plans published. Leeman Road tunnel still to become one lane.

The new plans can be viewed via these links

Introduction

Other key character areas

Other infrastructure, planting and construction

New bridges

Millennium Green and Water End

The most controversial aspect is likely to remain the continued use of the Leeman Road (Marble Arch) tunnel for general traffic and cyclists. The proposers persist with the idea of reducing the carriageway to one – signal controlled – lane with cyclists using the other lane. They seem blithely unaware that neither the carriageway or pedestrian sections of the tunnel have a waterproof membrane. Quite simply pedestrians and cyclists will continue to face – in wet weather – an unpleasant introduction to what had been billed as a 21st century experience. Lack of forethought means that any link onto the Scarborough cycle bridge will also be awkward.

Marble Arch tunnel transport layout

There are few surprises in the rest of the package although those cycling from Wilton Rise might have hoped for more details of an alternative route to the existing archaic footbridge.

What to expect according to the Council

The Council has published the following media release, having leaked it to the commercial media over the weekend.

“City of York Council says it has unveiled proposals for the access routes which enable the York Central partnership to unlock the jobs, homes and public spaces developed through the award-winning Masterplan.

The council is working in partnership with Network Rail, Homes England and the National Railway Museum to develop proposals to regenerate the 45 hectare-site – one of the largest brownfield sites in the UK.

As the largest landowners, Network Rail and Homes England secured outline planning permission in 2019. This established the principles of the regeneration, creating up to 2500 homes, an estimated 6500 jobs, and a range of public spaces, including the city’s first new park in a century.

Each partner will now develop detailed ‘Reserved Matters’ planning applications covering different parts of the scheme. The council has prepared the first of these, in line with the outline planning application, as it is responsible for the funding and delivery of the essential infrastructure. Homes England and Network Rail are responsible for future applications for housing and employment space.

The first Reserved Matters application proposals include:

New access routes throughout the site, including 1.85km (1.1m) of segregated cycle and pedestrians pathways;
A new 3.5m wide bus lane on Cinder Street, and routes for two park and ride services to run through the site;
A new bridge in weathering steel – the material used on the new Scarborough Bridge foot and cycleway – across the east coast mainline;
A new 4m shared pedestrian and cycle bridge added to the Water End bridge;
New streets and access points, including Leeman Road Spur, change to Leeman Road tunnel and Marble Arch;
A replacement rail link which will be used by the National Railway Museum;
Mature tree planting along the routes, new pathways and landscaping through Millennium Green”.

Councillor Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said:

“York Central has enormous potential to deliver a wide-range of benefits to the city, including new homes, new jobs and new sustainable transport links in the heart of the city.”

“Together with our partners, we have placed public engagement at the centre of our proposals to provide the homes, jobs and public spaces which the city needs. We are sharing these plans to demonstrate how we have responded to what residents have been telling us, particularly with regards to pedestrian, cycle and bus routes.”

“I would strongly encourage everyone to look and engage with these proposals, as it is incredibly important to us that the York Central development happens and works to the benefit of everyone in the city.”

People can see the proposals from Monday 24 February in several ways:

On-line at www.yorkcentral.info

Lowfields residents slam York council information blackout

Residents living in the Lowfields area have taken to Facebook to express their disappointment about the lack of information being provided on the nearby school site development.

They have seen a Council newsletter which tells them what the names will be of the new streets which are currently being constructed. The Council credits/blames pupils at a local school for the choice of Rosemary Road, Moss Bank Court etc.

The newsletter also claims that the first occupants will move in before the end of the year,.

This may be true, but residents main concern is lack of information about the lack of activity on other parts of the site.

The Facebook critics say

“no new information about when building work on the whole site will be concluded. Residents were told that plant would be off the site within 3 years.

It now looks like building work will continue for over 5 years.

We understand that the “Yorspace” communal housing scheme funding appeal topped out at just over £400,000. It remains to be seen whether this will be sufficient to allow the scheme to actually get built.

The self build plots are apparently still “on offer” while there have been no takers from developers wanting to provide a care home (on the large reserved plot on the Green Lane side of the site).

The location reserved for a “police station” is likely to remain empty indefinitely (there will be no police station) while there has been no progress on designing the “new health centre” which was promised for another part of the site.

No progress has been made in providing off site additional car parking spaces on Dijon Avenue.

It is really shameful that the Council should circulate a cheap leaflet like this without even attempting to address the major areas of local concern to local residents”.

WE think that residents have a point. They have been treated very badly by the York Council and deserve more respect and regular updates.

No one should have to live next to a building site for 5 years or more, simply because a local authority failed to get its act together

Building works problems increasing

Residents are hoping that some solutions, to the problems caused by widespread building works in the Westfield area, will emerge from last nights public meeting.

There are acute congestion, parking and noise problems at and near sevral sites.

Contractors have been digging up Hob Moor as they proceed wit the Newbury Avnue development. To do so they have cut two gaps in the perimeter hedge (although its is still the bird nesting season)

Parking problems are increasing on Ascot Way. The Lincoln House forecourt parking has gone and the Council have not provided even a temporary facility near the gable end of the building (where there is adequate space). The area is currently fenced off. The parking crisis in the estate has been exacerbated by the demolition of the |Newbury Avenue garages.

Italian restaurant withdraws application for Acomb Wood Drive site

Buongiorno have apparently withdrawn their planning application to turn unit 3 at the Acomb Wood Drive shopping centre into a coffee shop and restaurant.

Work had already started on fitting out the unit.

No reason has been given for the change of heart.

Latest planning applications for the Acomb and Westfield Wards

Acomb Methodist Church to add 72 square metres (10%) to hall on Front Street.

Acomb Methodist Church Hall click to access

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb and Westfield wards.

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Acomb

None

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Westfield

Location: Acomb Methodist Church Front Street York YO24 3BX

Proposal: Single storey extensions to sides and rear

Ref No: 15/02252/FUL

Applicant: Acomb Methodist Church Contact Mr David Chapman Consultation Expiry Date 11 November 2015 Case Officer: Elizabeth Potter Expected Decision Level DEL

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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

Latest planning applications for the Acomb and Westfield Wards

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb and Westfield wards.

Hairdressing salon at 43 York Road set to return to former use as a flat

Acomb

Location: Unit 5 Rose Centre Rose Avenue Nether Poppleton York

Proposal: Two storey side extension to accommodate additional offices

Ref No: 15/01634/FUL

Applicant: Mr Lawrence Beardmore Contact: Mr Garry Barker Consultation Expiry Date: 26 August 2015 Case Officer: Victoria Bell Expected Decision Level: DEL

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Location: 101 Almsford Road York YO26 5NU

Proposal: Two storey side extension

Ref No: 15/01639/FUL

Applicant: Mr Ian Rookes Consultation Expiry Date: 31 August 2015 Case Officer: Elizabeth Potter Expected Decision Level

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Westfield

The Council have received a planning application to turn the shop unit previously occupied by Greggs at 5 Odsall House on Front Street into a café

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Location: Beau And Joli Limited First Floor And Second Floors 43 York Road Acomb York

Proposal: Conversion of retail unit (use Class A1) to 1 no. dwellinghouse (class C3) under Class M, Part 3, Schedule 2 of Article 3 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 2015

Ref No: 15/01578/RFPRES

Applicant: Mr Toby Ellerker Consultation Expiry Date 26 August 2015 Case Officer: Victoria Bell Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location: 26 Bramham Road York YO26 5AW

Proposal: Conservatory to side

Ref No: 15/01556/FUL

Applicant: Mr And Mrs Harness Contact Jeff Carrington Consultation Expiry Date 26 August 2015 Case Officer: Elizabeth Potter Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location: 1 Apple Blossom Court Askham Lane York YO24 3HH

Proposal: Fell Beech tree protected by Tree Preservation Order No.: CYC14

Ref No: 15/01763/TPO

Applicant: Mr Barry Laws Contact Mr James Hudson Consultation Expiry Date 31 August 2015 Case Officer: Esther Priestley Expected Decision Level

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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

“Good night” Knights?…. as St. John’s College submits multi million pound sports ground plan for Haxby Road

York St. John’s College has submitted a planning application which would see the construction of a sports hall with associated changing, teaching and social facilities following demolition of the pavilion at the Mille Crux Sport Park.

Master plan for Haxby Road sports centre

The sports hall will be the equivalent in size to 5 badminton courts and will incorporate changing rooms, a “strength and conditioning” suit, flexible teaching space and catering facilities.

The proposal is the third part of the development of the sports park on the 24 hectare site on Haxby Road

It was granted planning permission 2 years ago

Full details of the current application can be found by clicking here

Ironically both the planning applications make mention of the York Knights RFL side saying that they are users of the facility.

There were indeed high hopes of a link up in 2013 as part of the Community Stadium deal but that relationship seems to have gone sour.

The York Council is apparently refusing to talk to the Knights owner following an acrimonious legal wrangle which ended a couple of months ago.

The Knights in turn are saying that they want a guarantee of being able to play games at Bootham Crescent until the new Community Stadium is completed.

Given that the Community Stadium project is already 2 years behind the schedule agreed in 2010 that may not be an unreasonable request.

It is about time that both sides sat down and talked through a solution.

Save the green belt update

Local residents backing the “save the green belt” campaign

The Council has now published details of some of the changes to land allocations that it is proposing to make, following representations by land owners.

The agenda for the Local Plan Working Group can be viewed by clicking here.

We will provide a background briefing and analysis on this web site tomorrow.