Council holding £4.5 million development monies

click to enlarge

The York Council has banked £4.49 million in levies paid by developers in the City.

The money – obtained through section 106 contributions – was a condition of the granting of planning permission for a range of developments in the City.

It is money that must be invested in public services such as schools, transport and playgrounds to accommodate the additional demands generated by a development.

The Council has spent £2.8 million, gained from the S106 contributions, during the last 5 years.

During the same the Council has refunded £72,000 period to developers.

Latest planning applications for Acomb

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb ward. No applications for the Westfield area were received last week

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Location: 164 Beckfield Lane York YO26 5QT

Proposal: Conversion of existing garage into self contained granny annexe

Ref No: 13/03467/FUL

Applicant: Mrs Joanne Corringham Consultation Expiry Date: 26 November 2013 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.

Labour fiddle York housing waiting list figures

Cabinet member orders that 2400 residents be taken off list

Earlier in the week a report, which is being presented to the York Council “Cabinet”, claimed that the numbers on the Housing waiting list had more than halved in 6 months.

click for source document

The report showed that only 2420 are now registered on the list – down from 4692 at the end of March.

4692 was the figure quoted by Labour to justify their plans to build 22,000 additional homes over the next 15 years, mainly on green belt land next to the City.

No explanation was given for this phenomenal reduction which was simply labelled as a “decrease”.

It was all the more surprising as, since Labour took control of the Council the supply of new “affordable” homes, has tailed off.

It now turns out that the change has been achieved simply by taking people off the list who Labour Councillors feel are not in housing need.

These include all those in the so called “bronze” category.

This is another decision that has been taken without any consultation and behind closed doors. It has not been widely publicised since it was introduced about 4 weeks ago..

No doubt Labour hoped, nearer the next Council elections, to announce that they had “solved” York’s housing problems.

Electors are not so easily fooled.

It is time that the Council ordered a public scrutiny review of the way in which the North Yorkshire housing waiting list has been massaged.

Some of the revised criteria that are now being applied will win general support (listed below).

Many however will find this new example of secrecy a sinister development.

The key changes are listed below.

(more…)

Latest planning applications for Westfield Ward

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Westfield ward.

There were no applications in the Acomb Ward this week.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

Location: 99 Bellhouse Way York YO24 3LW

Proposal: Erection of single storey extension extending 6 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a height to the eaves of 2.059 metres and a total height of 3.388 metres

Ref No: 13/03285/LHE

Applicant: Mr Shaun Kellett Consultation Expiry Date 18 November 2013 Case Officer: Heather Fairy (Mon – Wed) Expected Decision Level
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Location: R A L Limited 43 York Road Acomb York YO24 4LN

Proposal: Change of use from amusement arcade to shop (use class A1)

Ref No: 13/03322/FUL

Applicant: RAL Limited Contact Anthony Foster Consultation Expiry Date 18 November 2013 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.

Traveller site extension at Osbaldwick gets go ahead; Sessions decision

The planning committee approved an extension to the Osbaldwick caravan site last night. They noticeably failed to impose conditions on how the site would be managed in future despite concerns raised by local residents.

NB. The same meeting approved the high density housing development plans for the old Sessions site

York Labour Councillors reveal cunning plan?

Site capacity for new homes – draft Local Plan. click to enlarge

Labour Councillor Dave Merrett seems to have overstepped accepted guidelines when welcoming a planning application for the Our Lady’s school site.

He was quoted in the local paper as supporting a plan to build 56 homes on the site – almost double the number allocated in the Local Plan that Cllr Merrett approved in the spring.

If approved at the meeting on 21st November, the proposal would mean that the green space, school nature reserve and children’s playground will all be lost.

Normally executive Councillors avoid commenting publicly on planning applications once they have been submitted. They allow normal consultation with residents to take place before a cross party planning committee meeting decides on the merits of each proposal.

A public intervention by an executive Councillor could be deemed to be putting undue pressure on the planning officers who work in his department and who will author reports recommending approval or rejection of an application.

Officials are understood to have said already that the density on the development – at 82 homes per hectare based on the existing built footprint- is in excess of what would normally be permitted in a sub-urban location.

Meanwhile the Council Leader is also interfering in the planning processes.

Following on from his public opposition to converting unused shops into residential accommodation, he told the last Council meeting, when questioned about the higher number of housing units coming forward on brownfield sites that,

sessions site

“the important distinction between the positions of the Liberal Democrats, and the Conservatives it has to be said, is that the other parties believe those living in central wards should have housing built on any spare piece of land anywhere near them and outer wards should continue to enjoy protection against any development anywhere near them”.

“The truth is housing should be built in both central and outer areas where it can be shown to contribute to tackling the city’s housing crisis at the same time as protecting residents’ local amenity”.

In fact over recent months it is central area sites that are seeing high densities proposed with Our Lady’s school only the latest in a long line which includes the former Press offices in Walmgate, the Burnholme club and several dozen others.

The Council Leader may, however, be confused about what constitutes “central wards”.

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NB. The Planning committee will consider next week a proposal to build 59 homes on the former Sessions site on Huntington Road. Of these 20% will be “affordable”

The density of the proposed development is just over 32 dwellings per hectare, and would be more densely developed than the surrounding residential areas. However this figure appears to be in conflict with the figures shown in the draft Local Plan.

The draft Local plan showed only 17 homes being built on this (0.47 hectare) site

Latest Planning applications for Acomb and Westfield Wards

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb and Westfield wards. Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

Acomb

Location: 103 Almsford Road York YO26 5NU

Proposal: Single storey side and rear extension (revised scheme)

Ref No: 13/03289/FUL
Applicant: Ms. Chris Garbutt Contact: Mr Kevin Bristowe Consultation Expiry Date: 4 November 2013 Case Officer: Elizabeth Potter Expected Decision Level: DEL
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Location: 17 Old School Walk York YO26 5TF

Proposal: Fell Rowan, Tree protected by Tree Preservation Order CYC 209

Ref No: 13/03273/TPO

Applicant: Mr Ben James Consultation Expiry Date: 4 November 2013Case Officer: Esther Priestley Expected Decision Level: DEL
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Westfield – none

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

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb and Westfield wards. Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

Acomb

Location: 93 Boroughbridge Road York YO26 5ST
Proposal: Single storey side and rear extension
Ref No: 13/03235/FUL
Applicant: Ms Vicky Hudson Contact: Mr J Funnell Consultation Expiry Date: 25 October 2013 Case Officer: Elizabeth Potter Expected Decision Level: DEL
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Address 17 Old School Walk York YO26 5TF
Proposal Fell Rowan, Tree protected by Tree Preservation Order CYC 209
Reference 13/03273/TPO
Application Received Mon 07 Oct 2013 Status Pending Consideration
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Westfield

Location: Haylofts 2 Westfield Farm Askham Lane York YO24 3HU
Proposal: Prune Rowan and Cherry, Trees protected by Tree Preservation Order CYC 138
Ref No: 13/03240/TPO
Applicant: Mrs Judith Hodgeson Contact Mrs Sarah Holder Consultation Expiry Date 25 October 2013 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 – Former Knavesmire Nursing home (The Green) site plans published

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Acomb and Westfield wards. Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

The long awaited proposals for the former Knavesmire Nursing home site on The Green have been submitted to the Council. They show the main building being retained and converted into 4 flats.

Elsewhere on the site the extension will be demolished and 4 bungalows will be built. Some significant works to the trees on the site are also proposed.

The application will be welcomed by many as the building has been empty for around 4 years while the overgrown trees have blocked out much of the light in the area.

Westfield

Reference 13/03033/FUL

The Green development site plan. Click for larger drawing

Address Knavesmire Nursing Home 76 The Green Acomb York YO26 5LS

Proposal Conversion and partial demolition of nursing home to create 4no. apartments and 4no. bungalows with associated parking

Status Pending Consideration Application Received Mon 09 Sep 2013

Reference 13/03193/TCA

Address Knavesmire Nursing Home 76 The Green Acomb York YO26 5LS

Proposal Various tree works including fell 20 trees, Trees in the Conservation Area

Status Pending Consideration Application Received Wed 25 Sep 2013

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Reference 13/03074/FUL

Address Quicksilver 7 Acomb Court Front Street York YO24 3BJ

Proposal Change of use of first floor from retail (use Class A1) to sports facility (use Class D2)

Application Received Mon 09 Sep 2013 Status Pending Consideration
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Reference 13/03082/FUL MT26J0SJ0B800

Address 70 Gale Lane York YO24 3AA

Proposal Increasing height of roof to accommodate loft conversion (revised scheme)

Status Pending Consideration Application Received Fri 13 Sep 2013
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Acomb

Reference 13/03172/LHE http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/weeklyListResults.do?action=firstPage

Address 10 Albion Avenue York YO26 5RA

Proposal Erection of single storey extension extending 4 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a height to the eaves of 2.5 metres and a total height of 3 metres

Application Received Fri 20 Sep 2013 Status Pending Consideration
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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.

York Local Plan – Save the Green Belt campaign gets another boost

The Council are now saying that they hope to have read all the representations made by residents about the draft Local Plan by the end of October.

How long it will be, before meetings start to take place at which residents will have the chance to challenge Labour’s Plan assumptions, is anyone’s guess.

Residents protest against Local Plan

However the Plan’s assumptions about the number of homes that could be built on brownfield sites continue to be eroded.

The latest planning application – for the Brecks Lane site at Strensall – is for 104 homes. That compares to an assumed capacity for the site, listed in the draft Local Plan, of 82.

Last week we learned that the British Sugar site will accommodate 1300 homes. The Local Plan forecast only 998.

In addition, around 20 planning applications for new homes have been submitted to the Council over the last 4 months, for sites where either zero residential units had been assumed in the Local Plan or where the number now planned is over 20% higher than the Local Plan estimate.

These include proposals for The Press office building in Walmgate, the Burnholme Club site and Our Lady’s school on Windsor Garth.

They do not include new “windfall” sites like the Bonding Warehouse, Ashbourne House, the Yearsley Pub not to mention Oliver House where we now understand that negotiations about the buildings future have recommenced (some 18 months after it became empty).

It is now clear that there is sufficient brownfield (previously developed) land to satisfy York’s reasonable housing needs for the foreseeable future.

What is also clear is that Labours Local Plan is discredited. They will have to re-write large sections of it.

The sooner that they start the better.