Building sites causing problems for residents across the City

It isn’t just the Lowfields building site which is causing concerns for local residents. People living near a site on Windmill Lane – ironically also being built on playing fields – have also raised concerns about work going on during unauthorised hours.

All planning permissions list the permitted hours of work and these usually exclude Sundays while weekday working may be limited to 8:00am – 6:00pm.

Windmill Lane residents say that workers were on site from 7:30am on Sunday. There are also issues with heavy plant trying to access the site via unauthorised routes and well as concerns about wildlife conservation.

The problems will sound familiar to residents in the Lowfields area where more details of the Tudor Road closure- effective from 13th June  – have been published.

Tudor Road entrance to Lowfields building site

 “Normal working hours will be Monday to Saturday 8am to 5pm. It would only be in exceptional circumstances or in case of emergencies that we would work any later or on Sunday’s. It is highly unlikely that there would be any overnight work.”

“For the first 2 weeks the road will be closed entirely in both directions but pedestrian access will be maintained. Vehicular access will be available for residents and deliveries in Tudor Road up to the point of where our works will be.”

“Access to the garages between 77 and 87 Tudor Road will not be obstructed as they are not directly in our working area. Any customers who will be impacted have been contacted by Barhale and will be consulted whilst the scheme is taking place to tray and minimise disruption.”

“Access will still be available to the homes near Gale lane from the Gale Lane side of Tudor Road. The works will only be in the vicinity of 59 to 69 Tudor Road.”

Dijon Avenue access to building site

“Equipment that will be used will include a 20 tonne excavator, 9 tonne dumper, hydraulic breaker, compaction and cutting equipment.”

“The compound will have a generator on site and will usually be off overnight. However, if there is wet and inclement weather it may be required to dry the teams clothing.”

HGVs seen accessing building site via Dijon Ave

Local Councillors say they’re pressing for improvements for pedestrians and cyclists in the area.

Local residents in Dijon Avenue are, however,  already seeing large vehicles using the street even though the authorised access for Tudor Road is still currently open.

York Council officials stubborn support for Windmill Lane playing fields development

Only days after residents and political candidates from all parties staged a demo in favour of conserving the  playing fields off Windmill Lane, York Council officials have again recommended that the area be developed.

In April, the Council’s planning committee deferred a decision on an application to build 70 dwellings on the playing fields.

The application was heard at committee on 20th April 2017 who deferred it ” in order to provide clarification on the methodology used to establish that there was no shortfall in open space provision within the area, secure clarification on the suitability of the location of the alternative provision and secure evidence of how the existing pitches have been offered to local sports teams”.

Now a new report, due to be considered by the planning committee on 15th June, once again contains a recommendation for approval.

Critically, Sport England have not objected to the proposals but acknowledge that they are “finely balanced”

Both David Lloyd Leisure and the City of York Hockey Club have raised objections.

If approved the plan will be referred to the Secretary of State who would have the opportunity to call it in for public inquiry.

We continue to believe that applications like this are, at best, premature and should not be considered until the draft Local Plan has been subject to a public examination.

Ironically whoever is elected to represent the area in today’s Council by election poll will have little opportunity to influence the planning decision which is only 7 days away.