Public consultation on controversial plans to build 22,000 houses in York has been labelled as “inadequate” by Liberal Democrat Councillors.
http://www.york.gov.uk/localplan
Labour run City of York Council’s eight-week public consultation on the Draft Local Plan, which began earlier this month, has seen the authority print 90,000 consultation leaflets – one for every household in York.
However, residents across York have contacted Lib Dem Councillors with some saying they have received two copies and others saying they are yet to receive a copy.
Problems have been reported in Huntington, Heworth Without, Heslington and Fulford while the Council has been forced to admit that 1-in-4 households in the Chapelfields area failed to receive the leaflets originally intended for them and re-delivery has had to be organised.
Cllr Keith Orrell, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Huntington and New Earswick, commented:
“Officers have confirmed that 90,000 leaflets were printed by the Council to deliver to 90,000 households in York. However, I received two and I know that many other residents have received two leaflets, sometimes on successive days and from the same delivery company. Obviously, for everyone that received two copies someone did not receive one, and I know that parts of the city are still awaiting delivery weeks after the consultation started and as the deadline for responses gets closer.
“There is no major area of York that is left untouched by Labour’s plans, whether it is proposals for 2,000 houses in Huntington, wind turbines in Heworth Without, a new settlement south of Heslington or a travellers site near Dunnington. Given this, the Council has a duty to get things right, but it seems that despite the huge communications team employed, they are struggling to even ensure that one leaflet is delivered to every household in York.
“The latest problems follow criticism of the leaflet produced by the Council – which does not show key plans such as potential wind farm sites – and anger that, despite the efforts of Lib Dem Councillors, areas earmarked for major housing development such as Huntington are scheduled to have no public drop-in session for residents to view the plans and ask council officers questions. At the moment, the consultation is completely inadequate and we need answers from the Labour Cabinet Member.”
The consultation is due to close on Wednesday 31st July
Earlier this month, it was revealed that over 2,000 people have signed a Liberal Democrat petition against Labour’s plans to build 22,000 houses on York’s Green Belt over the next 15 years.