Victory! Askham Bog appeal dismissed

Local Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed the decision made by the Government’s Planning Inspector to reject the appeal against the council’s refusal to grant planning permission to build 516 homes on land next to the Askham Bog Site of Special Scientific Interest.

The application had been refused by City of York Council’s Planning Committee in 2019 on the basis that the proposed development, on land off Moor Lane in Woodthorpe, was inappropriate due to the impact on Askham Bog and local infrastructure. The developer then appealed against that decision, which led to a public inquiry being held.

Cllr Stephen Fenton said: “I am delighted that Askham Bog has been saved – this is a real victory for our community. Local Liberal Democrat councillors have fought this development for years and I hope that we can finally put this issue to rest. The threat of development on this site has been hanging over the community ever since the then Labour-run council identified the land for housing in their draft Local Plan.

Councillors Stephen Fenton, Ashley Mason and Paula Widdowson at Askham Bog in 2019

“Today’s news will come as a huge relief for local residents who had considerable concerns about the impact that this number of homes would have had on local infrastructure such as roads and healthcare services which are already struggling.

Councillor Stephen Fenton at Askham Bog in 2018 with Louise Wilkinson and Alastair Fitter from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust

“It has been an incredible community effort, with residents rallying to the cause and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust collecting over 7,000 petition signatures. I would like to thank everyone who has been part of this campaign.”

Green spaces of Dringhouses

Local volunteers have produced a pamphlet containing information on the fantastic green spaces around Dringhouses.

Local residents who are not familiar with some of these locations may wish to pay them a visit as part of their permitted daily exercise – whilst maintaining social distancing of course!

The leaflet was produced before the Covid-19 pandemic, so it should be noted that the Nelsons Lane children’s playground is currently closed and fishing is currently prohibited at Railway Pond and Chapman’s Pond.

Free online newspapers and magazines – now LIVE

Press Reader – the app giving free access to 7,000 online newspapers and magazines – is now live and free to access for anyone with an Explore library card.

Explore was able to buy a subscription to Press Reader with part of the grant awarded last week by City of York Council from the Covid-19 general support grant.

If you don’t have a York Card or a Library Card, you can find out how to sign up online HERE

Here is how to use Press Reader…

  1. Download the PressReader app from your app store, or just visit the website in your internet browser (the app is recommended for the touchscreen experience)
  2. Click “Sign in”
  3. Click “Libraries and Groups”
  4. Select “Explore York Libraries and Archives…” from the list by searching for “Explore” or “York”
  5. Enter your library card number and click sign in (note: this is your card number starting with a Y, not any kind of alternative ID you may have set up)
  6. It’ll ask for your email address, a password and your name to set up an account. Remember the password because you’ll need this again in 30 days.  Also on this screen you can browse the terms and privacy policy.  Then tap sign in at the bottom.
  7. That’s it, you’re signed in.  Click “select publication” to start browsing.

After 30 days you’ll need to log in again with your email address and password.

More information is available on the Explore website HERE

Playgrounds closed

Residents are being urged to respect the decision to close all playgrounds.

On the Revival estate, off Tadcaster Road, the playgrounds are managed by open space management company Greenbelt. In response to an e-mail from Cllr Stephen Fenton they stated that “there is no requirement to close all of our play areas.” This runs counter to Government guidance which states that “Communal spaces within parks such as playgrounds and football pitches will be closed.”

City of York Council officers stepped in and put cable ties around gates at the two playgrounds on the estate as a stop-gap measure. Sadly, one set of cable ties was cut shortly afterwards.

Stephen has asked the council to step in again to install a more permanent solution, such as a chain and lock.

CANCELLED – Easter holiday activities for young people

The Westfield and Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Ward Committees are funding Easter holiday activities for young people in the area.

The sessions will be run by York City Knights Foundation and York City FC Foundation – dates, times and locations are set out on the posters below.

If there are any changes to these plans, we will post an update.

FREE course for aspiring young sports coaches

Young people in the Westfield and Dringhouses & Woodthorpe wards aged 12 years or older are invited to sign up for a free four-day course which can lead to a Level 1 Sports Leadership qualification.

The course, which for local young people is being funded from ward budgets, will be run by York City FC Foundation from Monday 17th to Thursday 20th February at Foxwood Community Centre.

To find out more or to book a place, call 01904 559508 or e-mail inclusion@yorkcityfcfoundation.co.uk

Petticoat Government – the story of the York Home for Nurses

Dringhouses Library

October 21st @ 7:00 pm – 8:00 pm

 £5

Join author Rosemary Cook for an introduction to her book ‘Petticoat Government’, which tells the remarkable story of York’s unique nursing history.

Rosemary Cook, former Director of the Queen’s Nursing Institute, talks about her new book ‘Petticoat Government’, based on original local research. The York Home for Nurses was run by Anglican religious sisters, funded by local people, and governed by a council of famous York names. Dealing with epidemics and floods as well as medicine and surgery, the Home eventually became the Purey Cust Nursing Home.

Tickets