York Local Plan – confusion grows

No sooner had the agenda for York’s Council meeting – to be held next Thursday – been published, than meetings to discuss the Local Plan have appeared in the Council’s diary of events.

The Council agenda had included several questions critical of the delays, and lack of clear milestones, in the preparation of the Local Plan

Yesterday we reported that the Forward Programme of decisions – a legal requirement for all major issues – did not include any reference to an update of the Local Plan.

Residents protest against Local Plan

Residents protest against Local Plan

So far, residents have not even had an opportunity to speak out about Labour’s plan – announced a year ago – to increase the size of the City.

Now a mysterious “special” meeting of the Councils “Cabinet” has been scheduled for Wednesday 23rd April. The Councils web site has been amended today to say that;

During the consultation additional information on sites was submitted by landowners and developers.  Before making any final decision on sites to be included in the Local Plan, the Council would like to understand the public views on this additional information. Reports relating to this will be considered at the Local Plan Working Group and a special cabinet in late April and this will be followed by public consultation”.

Whether landowner’s comments will do anything to reassure residents about the Councils expansion plans remains to be seen.

The Council has still not published the 4000+ objections made by residents to the original plan.

Any new information is due to be considered by the (all party)  “Local Plan Working Group”, a meeting of which has now been scheduled for Tuesday 22nd April. As this is the day before the Cabinet meeting, it is unlikely that the working groups views – much less any views expressed by residents – would be reported to a meeting which is taking place the next day.

Legally the Cabinet cannot take any decisions on “key” matters – like the Local Plan – without giving 4 months notice in their Forward Programme.

They have still not published a timetable of milestone dates which will lead up to the inevitable Public Inquiry into their plans, which is now unlikely to take place before next year.

LibDems demand answers on York Green Belt questions

Liberal Democrat councillors are calling for an urgent update on controversial plans to build 22,000 houses in York.

Labour run City of York Council’s Draft Local Plan proposes building 22,000 houses over the next 15 years, including thousands on Green Belt land. Public consultation on the plan closed in July last year and over 14,000 responses were received – the vast majority in opposition to the proposals.

Green Belt campaign logo

However, eight months after the consultation closed the full responses have still not been published and there has been no opportunity for councillors or residents to publically discuss the plan or the public reaction.

No dates for meetings have been included in the Council’s Forward Programme of decision dates (published this week) which covers all major issues scheduled to be considered during the forthcoming 4 months

Cllr Ann Reid, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Planning and Sustainability, commented:

“Thousands of residents took the time last summer to study the plans and respond to the consultation. It is ridiculous that eight months later these views have still not been fully published and the concerns raised have not been addressed.

“Labour should immediately publish these responses in full and organise a meeting of the council’s cross-party Local Plan Working Group. They need to give opposition councillors and residents the chance to discuss the issues and their concerns. Labour need to tell residents what is going on and publish a detailed timetable. At the moment residents are being kept in the dark and feel they are being ignored.

“The whole process is being shrouded in secrecy by Labour and in the meantime planning applications on the Green Belt, such as Becks Lane in Strensall, are being approved on an ad-hoc basis. We also know that the council is already talking to developers about building at other key Green Belt sites.”

At the meeting of York’s Full Council next week (Thursday 27th) Cllr Reid will ask the Labour Cabinet Member for Transport, Planning and Sustainability the following questions:

  • When will a timetable of meetings be published at which residents can make representations on the (revised) Local Plan proposals?
  • Why is it taking so long to publish – as promised – the written comments and objections which the Council received following its initial consultation on the Draft Local Plan last year?
  • What is the proposed timetable for the preparation of the Local Plan up to, and beyond, the Examination in Public (Public Inquiry)?

Latest Planning applications Acomb and Westfield Wards

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb Ward.  No applications were received for the Westfield Ward,

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

Acomb

Location:       44 Wheatlands Grove York YO26 5NG

Proposal:       Dormer window to side

Ref No: 14/00516/FUL

Applicant:      Mrs Katie Potts  Contact:        Mr J Funnell    Consultation Expiry Date:       7 April 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth 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/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Latest planning applications Acomb and Westfield Wards

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

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

Acomb

Location:       25 Albion Avenue York YO26 5RA

Proposal:       Detached summerhouse to rear following demolition of garage

Ref No: 14/00346/FUL

Applicant:      Mr J Pearson    Contact:        Mr Jon Hegarty  Consultation Expiry Date:       31 March 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       8 Ostman Road York YO26 5PY

Proposal:       Two storey side and rear extension

Ref No: 14/00373/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Alastair Hartley  Contact:        Mr Alastair Hartley     Consultation Expiry Date:       31 March 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Westfield

Location:       99 Front Street York YO24 3BU

Proposal:       Crown thin and Crown reduce x 1 Lime, Crown reduce 1  x Sycamore Trees in teh Conservation Area

 Ref No: 14/00478/TCA

Applicant:      Mr F Cornish    Contact FA Bartlett Tree Expert Co Ltd  Consultation Expiry Date        31 March 2014Case Officer:   Esther Priestley        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/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Libraries introduce new service to help residents with planning applications

Acomb Explore Library

Acomb Explore Library

A new service is being introduced at York Libraries to help residents who are submitting planning applications for extensions or loft conversions to their properties.

Residents are now able to walk in to three York libraries (York, Acomb and Tang Hall).with their address and postcode details and can purchase specially printed site plans and location plans of their properties. These two documents are often needed when submitting planning applications to the council.

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Latest Planning applications Acomb and Westfield Wards

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

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Acomb

Location:       29 Sitwell Grove York YO26 5JG

Proposal:       Erection of single storey extension extending 5 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a height to the eaves of 2.5 metres and a total height of 4 metres

Ref No: 14/00374/LHE

Applicant:      Mr Peter Nicholson      Consultation Expiry Date:       13 March 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Westfield

Location:       87 Ridgeway York YO26 5DA

Proposal:       Erection of shed to rear (retrospective)

Ref No: 14/00344/FUL

Applicant:      Mr & Mrs P Neary       Contact Mr Neil Conway  Consultation Expiry Date        17 March 2014 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/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Latest Planning applications Acomb and Westfield Wards

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

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Acomb

Location:       2 Almsford Road York YO26 5HZ

Proposal:       Two storey side extension and porch to front

Ref No: 14/00269/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Paul Nicholas        Contact:        Mr Kevin Bristowe       Consultation Expiry Date:       10 March 2014Case Officer:   Elizabeth Potter        Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       7 Church Gate York YO26 5BW

Proposal:       Single storey rear extension

Ref No: 14/00324/FUL

Applicant:      Mrs Edwards     Contact:        Howard Berry    Consultation Expiry Date:       10 March 2014Case Officer:   Will Steel      Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Westfield

Location:       88 Wetherby Road Acomb York YO26 5BY

Proposal:       Single storey side and rear extension

Ref No: 14/00232/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Tim Ireland  Consultation Expiry Date        10 March 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       Leeds And Holbeck Building Society 49 York Road Acomb York YO24 4LN

Proposal:       Display of 1no internally illuminated fascia sign and 1no internally illuminated projecting sign

Ref No: 14/00243/ADV

Applicant:      Leeds Buillding Society Contact Joanne Goodaire Consultation Expiry Date        10 March 2014 Case Officer:   Victoria Bell   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/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Latest Planning application Acomb and Westfield Wards

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

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Acomb

Location:       64 Rosedale Avenue York YO26 5LQ

Proposal:       Single storey rear extensions and alterations to existing garage roof

Ref No: 14/00215/FUL

Applicant:      Mr And Mrs N Boonham    Contact:        Mr Tony Harrison        Consultation Expiry Date:       3 March 2014Case 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/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Latest Planning application Westfield Ward

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

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Westfield

Location:       3 Hawkshead Close York YO24 2YF

Proposal:       Lightly shape and reduce Silver Birch, Tree protected by Tree Preservation Order CYC 38

Ref No: 14/00234/TPO

Applicant:      Mr Young    Contact Steve Lewis     Consultation Expiry Date        24 February 2014 Case Officer:   Esther Priestley        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/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Latest planning applications for Acomb and Westfield Wards

Additional classrooms planned for Carr Junior School

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

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Westfield

Address 42A The Green Acomb York

Proposal Conditions 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10 (13/01285/FUL)

Reference AOD/14/00022

Application Received Fri 24 Jan 2014 YO26 5LR Status Pending Consideration

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Acomb

Location:       Carr Junior School  Ostman Road York YO26 5QA

Proposal:       Erection of single storey extensions to create 3no. classrooms

Ref No: 14/00025/FUL

Applicant:      Adult, Children And Education   Contact:        Property Services    Consultation Expiry Date:       17 February 2014 Case Officer:   Elizabeth Potter        Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       72 Albion Avenue York YO26 5QY

Proposal:       Two storey side extension

Ref No: 14/00057/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Richard Mccaffrey    Contact:        Mr Derek Marsham        Consultation Expiry Date:       17 February 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       29 Sitwell Grove York YO26 5JG

Proposal:       Erection of single storey extension extending 5 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a height to the eaves of 2.3 metres and a total height of 5.5 metres

Ref No: 14/00076/LHE

Applicant:      Mr Peter Nicholson  Consultation Expiry Date:       11 February 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level:        DEL

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Location:       175 Boroughbridge Road York YO26 6AR

Proposal:       Variation of condition 2 of permitted application 11/03305/FUL to allow one addional surgery

Ref No: 14/00137/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Sanjay Gautam       Consultation Expiry Date:       17 February 2014 Case Officer:   Jonathan Kenyon 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/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.