What’s on in York: Woodthorpe Fun Day on Sunday
Askham Bog planning application set to be refused
The Planning committee is being recommended to refuse planning permission for the erection of 516 houses on Moor Lane near Woodthorpe.
The application caused an outcry last year because of concerns about its effect on the nearby Askham Bog. A host of celebrity experts lined up to oppose the plan. They pointed to the disastrous effect that changes to the hydrology in the area could have on the Site of Scientific Interest.
The report describes the existing site.
“The application site extends to approximately 40.5Ha of farmland to the South of Moor Lane in Woodthorpe approximately 3.5km from the city centre. The farmland is divided by mature hedges, trees, a number of farm tracks and field drains. Marsh Farm sits within the centre of the site and consists of a farm house with a mixture of period and modern barns”.
The site is shown as Green Belt in the latest York Local Plan. This plan will be subject to a public examination over the next few weeks.
The need to preserve the Gren Belt boundary in the area forms the basis for the likely refusal of the application. However, concerns are also expressed about traffic generation from the site as well as other issues
Objections to the application were raised By Natural England, Historic England and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust (who manage the Bog site). A wide range of other organisations and local Councillors have objected to the proposal. There were also 401 individual letters of objections and 7210 emails!
The Planning Committee meets to determine the application on Thursday 11th July at 4:30pm.
If the application is refused, the developer has a right of appeal to the Secretary of State.
This might result In a Public Inquiry.
Great British Spring Clean success in Foxwood and Woodthorpe
Volunteers have been busy over the weekend with both the Foxwood and Woodthorpe shopping area forecourts have been cleared of weeds and detritus. Makes a big difference.
Building plans near Moor Lane nature reserve
Askham Bog
Developers submit plans which could threaten the future of Askham Bog.
Developers are seeking “outline planning permission (with all matters reserved except for means of access) for up to 516 residential units (Class C3) with local centre (Use Classes A1-A4, B1a, C3, D1) public open space with pavilion and associated infrastructure and full application for demolition of existing buildings and structures and creation of ecological protection and enhancement zone”.
The location is on Moor Lane “OS Fields 5475 7267 And 8384 Moor Lane Acomb York” Click this Reference for full details 18/02687/OUTM
The application went “live” on the Councils “planning on line” web site only yesterday. Objections have to be lodged by 9th January with a statutory expiry date of 30th January.
Some believe that the application has been timed to coincide with the busy festive season when resident’s attention is distracted.
The proposal is highly controversial.
Sir David Attenborough said during a visit to the site in 2016,
“If someone was proposing to put a building site next to York Minster there would be an outcry. This is a treasure that is irreplaceable.
“The citizens of York are lucky to have it on their doorstep and it is their responsibility to look after it.”
A Yorkshire Wildlife Trust spokesperson said the bog was a remarkable survivor of the ancient fenlands of Yorkshire, a ‘wonderful mosaic of fen, woodland and meadow,’ occupying the site of an ancient lake left behind by a retreating glacier 15,000 years ago.
The present Council specifically took the step of excluding the Moor Lane area from the development plans when it published its Local Plan. In 2 months time an independent inquiry will take place into the Plan.
It seems that the developers want to “bounce” a decision on the proposal before the formal Local Plan can be adopted.
They may be hoping that Labour will regain control of the York Council at the local elections which are taking place in May 2019. When Labour were last in power, they slated Moor Lane and other areas of Green Belt for development.
These decisions were revoked in 2015 by the new coalition administration.
Unfortunately the present Council is also guilty of pre-judging the Local Plan having succeeded recently in “bouncing” a plan to develop playing fields at Lowfields through the planning system. They did so before residents had the opportunity to voice their views at the public inquiry.
Opposition to the proposals is being coordinated by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust. Click this link to go to their website www.ywt.org.uk
Moor Lane development plans December 2018
Police appeal following burglary in Woodthorpe
It occurred on the evening of Friday 17th November 2017, where amongst other items a handbag was stolen.
The handbag is black in colour with one large middle pocket and two smaller pockets either side, possibly with a flowery “Cath Kidston” purse inside.
The purse has in it irreplaceable photos of great sentimental value.
If anyone finds the handbag or purse they should contact us on 101, select option 2, and ask for Mark Cook. You can also email mark.cook@northyorkshire.pnn.police.uk
If you wish to remain anonymous, you can pass information to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Please quote the North Yorkshire Police reference number 12170207175
Sunday 500 bus service from Foxwood to be scrapped. Woodthorpe link to continue
First have announced that they will make changes to their free electric bus service from Sunday 2nd April. From that date the service will no longer run along the Bellhouse Way/Foxwood Lane loop.
It will however continue to run through the Woodthorpe estate so those living close to Ryecroft Avenue will still be able to use the service. The service provides a link to Tesco at Askham Bar and beyond to Bishopthorpe. In another change the servie will in future continue on into the City centre
The free service is expected to attract normal fares later in the Spring ending the fare free experiment.
Trial Sunday bus service linking Foxwood/Woodthorpe and Askham Bar extended for a month
First have announced that the trial bus which links Foxwood, Woodthorpe & Bishopthorpe with Tesco and Askham Bar will continue to run until the end of January 2017.
The services will run on:
- Tuesday 27 December 2016
- Bank Holiday Monday, 2 January 2017
- Sundays 8, 15, 22 and 29 January 2017
Download Service 500 timetable
The free service, numbered 500, runs with an electric bus, subject to availability, to reduce noise and emissions. It was due to finish on 18th December
Time timetable for new FREE Sunday bus service from Foxwood published
Christmas trial of new free Sunday service from Foxwood, Woodthorpe and Bishopthorpe to Askham Bar Park and Ride
Service 500 will launch on Sunday 13 November and will run free of charge
In the run-up to Christmas, First York are trialling a Sunday service which will take passengers from Foxwood, Woodthorpe and Bishopthorpe, direct to Askham Bar Park & Ride, where they can connect with a direct, frequent buses on Park & Ride service 3 to York City Centre.
The service will also serve stops at Askham Bar Tesco.
At the time of writing First haven’t published a timetable for the service on their web site
The company says that recent changes by City of York Council have meant that residents of Woodthorpe and Bishopthorpe have been without a Sunday bus service. “We’re now launching a free shuttle bus service to Askham Bar Park & Ride to help you travel into York, and enjoy the Christmas shopping opportunities and festivities”.
First York Managing Director, Marc Bichtemann, comments: “At First York, we’re dedicated to providing our customers with the best service possible. We wanted to ensure that our customers in Bishopthorpe, Woodthorpe and Foxwood who want to travel into York in the run-up to Christmas, have the opportunity to do so. We will therefore be offering a free shuttle bus service to the Askham Bar Park & Ride from this Sunday, and look forward to welcoming our customers on board.”
The service, numbered 500, will run with an electric bus, subject to availability, to reduce noise and emissions. The trial will end on Sunday 18 December. We’ll then assess demand for the service before deciding if it can be extended into 2017.
Woodthorpe school gets this one wrong
Walking bus
The media are reporting that Woodthorpe school is trying to charge parents whose children use the “walking bus” to get to and from the school.
Given the amount of money being spent to encourage children to walk (rather than be driven on the “school run) this seems a shortsighted policy.
Walking is healthier and minimises the, sometimes chaotic, parking problems which occur around many school entrances.
If the school can’t bear the organisational costs of the project then the York Council would be wise to intervene.
The Council is spending a lot of money on low profile videos and surveys aimed at encouraging walking and cycling. The money might be better spent supporting initiatives like the walking bus.
The Councils advice on setting up and running a walking bus can be downloaded by clicking here