York Councillors face climate change challenge

Officials want to reject a solar farm plan for Naburn Sewage works site
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In a week where most nations have been in Paris coming to terms with the need to cut carbon emissions, York Councillors will have the opportunity to take a small step forward next week.

They are being asked to approve a plan which would see the installation of a solar photovoltaic (PV) array in approximately 42 rows of solar panels known as strings, with associated infrastructure on a site adjacent to the Sewage Treatment Works (STW).

The planning application says, “Each string of panels would be mounted on a rack comprising poles pile-driven to a depth of approximately 1.5m, without the need for excavation. The panels would be mounted at around 0.8m from the ground at the lowest point at the southern edge rising to approximately 2.25m at the highest point, on the northern edge. Each string of panels would be between 3m and 7m apart. They would be tilted 22 to 35 degrees from the horizontal and orientated southwards”.

The facility would have a capacity to generate approximately 1.4megawatts peak. This energy would be used to directly provide power to the adjacent STW and would offset approximately 20-30% of the existing annual on-site demand. This equates to powering approximately 400 homes per annum with a saving of over 800 tonnes of CO2 emissions a year.

On the face of it, this would seem to be an easy win for the environment. The site is unsuitable for residential development because of the flood risk and the proximity of the sewage works.

It is unproductive land which is not cultivated.

The solar farm may not be a permanent feature for the site – technology moves on – and could easily be removed.

Officials are opposing the project on the grounds that the site is in the Green Belt and that the open views of the City (from the cycle track) may be adversely affected.

Given that the energy being produced by the farm will be used to power the sewage treatment works, many may conclude that this is a unique proposal which would not create a precedent for development in the Green Belt and that, in any event, the impact on “views” from the cycle track will be minimal

It will be interesting to see what conclusion the Council’s planning committee reaches next week.

Knapton Lane development set to be refused planning permission

 

A controversial plan to build 14 houses on a wooded area near 41 Knapton Lane is set to be refused planning  permission
Knapton Lane site click to access

Knapton Lane site click to access

Council officials, reporting to a Planning meeting taking place on 10th December, say that the land is in the Green Belt and that no very special circumstances have been established for its development.

The full report can be read by clicking here

81 letters of objection to the proposals were received by the York Council.

The applications was considered to be a “test case” which, if successful, could have led to other peripheral edge of City green field sites being built on.

Lidl longer opening hours set for approval

Officials are recommending that Lidl on Thanet Road be permitted to open for longer hours.

Lidl Thanet RoadThe proposed hours – to be discussed at a planning committee meeting taking place on 3rd December – will be

  • Monday to Saturday: 07.00 to 22.00 hours
  • Sundays and Bank Holidays: 10.00 to 19.00.

Originally the store had asked to open between 07:00 and 2200 every day but this has now been reduced for Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Currently Sunday trading laws allow a large retail unit to open no earlier than 10.00 and ending no later than 18.00 for a continuous period of 6 hours. Granting planning permission for the proposed hours does not override Sunday Trading Legislation. The stores agent has confirmed that the proposed Sunday opening hours are speculative and is in response to the Government announcing (July 2015 Budget) potential revisions to Sunday trading hours.

Only one objection to the plan was received.

Beckfield Lane housing development

Officials are also recommending approval of an application to build 9 dwellings on Lland lying between Beckfield Lane and Runswick Avenue. The report can be read by clicking here

Beckfield Lane/Runswick Avenue click to access

Beckfield Lane/Runswick Avenue click to access

The proposed development contains a mix of house types consisting of four houses which are two storeys in height and contain three bedrooms, two houses containing three bedrooms which are two and a half storey in height (rooms in the roof space), two bungalows containing two bedrooms, and one bungalow containing three bedrooms. All dwellings proposed are semi-detached with the exception of the three bedroom bungalow which is detached. The majority of dwellings contain two car parking spaces and one visitor space is provided.

This application attracted 28 letters of objection (and three of support)

Other plans

Other applications being considered at the same meeting include (click to access):

Plastic window frames dispute over flat conversion project in Holgate

Shepherd Social club Holgate

Plans to convert the old Shephard building group social club at 131 Holgate Road into 12 flats have become embroiled in a controversy over the design of the windows.

The developer is understood to want to install UPVC windows in the building.

This has been opposed by Council officials.

Given the need for additional accommodation in the City this seems to be a petty issue.

The developers have now appealed against the Council’s decision.

NB: 3 out of 11 appeals lodged against York Council planning decisions were upheld by independent inspectors during the last 3 months

Latest planning applications for the Acomb and Westfield Wards

Below are the latest planning application received by the York Council for the Acomb ward.

Acomb

Location:       50 Beckfield Lane York YO26 5RJ

Proposal:       Single storey rear extension

Ref No: 15/02289/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Phil Wilkinson       Contact:        Mr Kevin Bristowe       Consultation Expiry Date:       23 November 2015 Case Officer:   Elizabeth Potter        Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       80 Cranbrook Road York YO26 5JH

Proposal:       Single storey side and rear extensions and roof alterations including dormer windows to side and rear

Ref No: 15/02355/FUL

Applicant:      Mr & Mrs Tolliss        Contact:        Mr Derek Wright  Consultation Expiry Date:       23 November 2015Case Officer:   Elizabeth Potter        Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Westfield

None

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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

Future of Piccadilly to be decided today

York Council to slow pace of redevelopment

Piccadilly Oct 2015

The pace at which  the regeneration of the Piccadilly area of York – now dubbed the “Southern Gateway” – will take place will be decided by the Council’s Executive today. A report from Council officials talks of establishing a blueprint for the general development of the area.

As we said three months ago, the brownfield site offers a major opportunity to provide additional housing in what has become a very popular destination for new home owners.  Even high value properties in Hungate and St Leonards Place are selling like hot cakes.

It is estimated that at least 450 new homes could be provided on the Piccadilly site.

Today’s report offers little that is new.  “Partners” will be sought to redevelop the old airspeed factory, a project manager will be appointed and taxpayers will be asked to spend £185,000 on further developing the plans.

Potholes on Castle car park

Potholes on Castle car park

Officials are recommending that the Council work closely with developers who have already worked up plans for some of the individual sites in the area.

The Council itself owns the busiest car park (Castle). The car park generates over £2 million a year in revenue – although it currently is in very poor condition.  The Council also runs Castle Mills and the St Georges Field car parks.

One option to be considered is an underground replacement.

It is also known that there is a strong preference to make major changes to Ryedale House which could become a major residential development.

The Council seems set on slowing down (again) the pace of redevelopment.

Three months ago they had reached the stage where possible land uses had been identified.

These clearly did not fit in with the ambitions of the private landowners. Hence the decision to pull back..

At this rate we doubt whether there will be any major development in the area much before the end of the decade.

Planning committee set to approve elderly persons home in former Terry’s building

The Planning Committee taking place on 22nd October will be asked to approve 4 major developments in the City.

One of the most significant applications would see the delightful but deteriorating Terry’s HQ office building brought back into use as a care home.  While changes to the layout of the Listed building are proposed, developers face a challenge in meeting modern expectations in a building of this age and layout.

Terrys Site

  • Former Terry’s Offices, Bishopthorpe Road, York, YO23 1DE (15/01623/FULM) A major full application for the conversion of former Terrys headquarters building to a care home with 82 care bedrooms and 8 care apartments with rooftop extension and car parking  plus (15/01624/LBC) A listed building consent application for internal and external alterations in connection with the conversion of the former Terry’s headquarters building to a care home with rooftop extension.  The Terry’s Headquarters Building comprises a Grade II Listed brick and stone built former office block to the east of the former entrance to the Terry’s chocolate manufacturing complex dating to the early 1920s. The site also lies within the Terrys/Racecourse Conservation Area. The premises have been vacant and deteriorating since 2011 when after chocolate manufacture at the site ceased, the subsequent office tenant vacated the premises. Planning permission is now sought for conversion of the premises into an 82 bed care home with 8 extra care apartments. The proposal includes a single storey roof level mansard extension. The application is recommended for approval
  • Land to the North of Avon Drive, Huntington, York (15/00798/OUTM) A major outline application for the erection of 109 houses. The application includes 1, 2, 3 and 4-bedroom houses. 30% of all house types would be affordable. The development would be bounded to the north by a landscaped buffer between the housing and the ring road. Two access points would be created via two vacant plots on the north side of Avon Drive. A new internal loop road within the development would link the two accesses. However the site is in the Green Belt and its development is therefore inappropriate  The application is recommended for refusal
  • Grantchester, Stripe Lane, Skelton, York, YO30 1YJ (15/01659/FUL) A full application for the use of land for a 20 pitch touring caravan and camping site. The site has recently been granted a 5 caravan and 10 tent certification by the caravan and camping club and is being operated within the parameters of this licence. A small building has been constructed on the south side of the plot which provides toilet facilities and water and emptying points are located towards the northern boundary. The proposal is to increase the use of the site to accommodate up to 20 caravans or tents. The application is recommended for approval
  • Plot 7, Great North Way, Nether Poppleton, York (15/01307/FULM) A major full application for the erection of a motor vehicle dealership, sales and servicing buildings with outside vehicle parking areas. Planning permission is sought for the construction of a Arnold Clarkcar dealership with associated facilities including car servicing, valeting and used car sales within a 3014 sq metre building employing 45 full time staff. The site has been notified as a SINC or Site of Interest for Nature Conservation on the basis of its calcareous vegetation and a colony of Great Crested Newts which have subsequently been “trans-located” (!) The application is recommended for approval

Acomb Councillor faces planning application rebuff

Hambleton District Council Picture by Dawn McNamara June 2009

Hambleton District Council
Picture by Dawn McNamara
June 2009

Officials are recommending that a planning application to build a house on land next to 27 Lidgett Grove in Acomb be refused. The application, submitted by Acomb Ward Councillor Keith Myers, would have seen a two story three bedroomed property built.  A similar application had been refused last year. 

Four neighbours have objected. Officials support the objections and conclude, “The erection of the proposed dwelling would result in the loss of an important gap in the street scene, resulting in a loss of openness and a form of development that is uncharacteristic of the established layout and pattern of development in the locality. The proposed dwelling would have no rear garden, a small side garden and front garden half given over to the parking of vehicle(s)”.

If rejected the applicant has a right of appeal.

The application will be considered at a meeting taking place on 15th October 2015. Other items (click to access) on the agenda are applications for:

Erection of 14 dwellings following demolition of existing bowling clubhouse and garage block. [Fulford and HeslingtonWard]  Report_St Oswalds Road (Connaught Court), 11/06/2015 Area Planning Sub-Committee , item 4a

Change of use from workshop to farm shop and erection of fence to front (retrospective). [Fulford and Heslington Ward]

Erection of petrol service station with retail unit. [Fishergate Ward] [Site Visit]

Erection of two storey detached dwelling [Guildhall Ward]

Change of use from office (use class B1) to restaurant/ cafe (use class A3 [Osbaldwick and Derwent Ward]

Single storey side and rear extension. [Hull Road Ward]

Change of use of dwelling house (use class C3) to a house in multiple occupation (use class C4) [Osbaldwick and Derwent Ward]

Single storey side extension. [Micklegate Ward]

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.

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Acomb

Location:       17 Cranbrook Avenue York YO26 5JD

Proposal:       Single storey rear extension and alterations to roof

Ref No: 15/02086/FUL

Applicant:      Mr And Mrs Sharp        Contact:        Mrs Kate Macneill       Consultation Expiry Date:       12 October 2015 Case Officer:   Sandra Duffill  Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Westfield

None

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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

Automatic barrier for main gate planned for Westfield Primary school

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

Acomb

Location:       30 Almsford Drive York YO26 5NS

Proposal:       First floor side extension

Ref No: 15/01849/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Wayne Pagdin Contact:        Paul Roberts    Consultation Expiry Date:       5 October 2015 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       28 Lidgett Grove York YO26 5NF

Proposal:       Single storey side and rear extension

Ref No: 15/01947/FUL

Applicant:      Mr William Flint        Consultation Expiry Date:       5 October 2015 Case Officer:   David Johnson   Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       138 Boroughbridge Road York YO26 6AL

Proposal:       Hip to gable roof extension and dormer to rear

Ref No: 15/01953/FUL

Applicant:      Mr G Marshall   Contact:        Mr Jake Clay    Consultation Expiry Date:       5 October 2015 Case Officer:   Elizabeth Potter        Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       Poppleton Gate House Millgates York

Proposal:       Fell Sycamore tree protected by Tree Preservation Order No.: 23

Ref No: 15/02069/TPO

Applicant:      Mr Richard Atkinson     Contact:        Mr David Gregory        Consultation Expiry Date:       5 October 2015 Case Officer:   Esther Priestley        Expected Decision Level:

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Westfield

click to enlarge

click to enlarge

Location          Westfield Primary School Askham Lane York YO24 3HP

Proposal          Installation of a cycle shelter and automatic barrier to main gate

Ref      15/01710/FUL

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Location:       28 The Green Acomb York YO26 5LR

Proposal:       Erection of single storey double garage with new vehicular access to rear

Ref No: 15/01936/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Nigel Hardwick    Contact PPIY Limited    Consultation Expiry Date        5 October 2015 Case Officer:   Sandra Duffill  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