During the Spring and Summer of 2018, York City Knights Foundation delivered a number of activity sessions for young people across Dringhouses & Woodthorpe, funded from the ward budget.
These included mobile skate park sessions at Moor Lane Youth Centre and on the Revival estate, and outdoor inflatable sessions at Woodthorpe Green and Foxwood Park.
The Foundation has produced a summary of the activities that took place, with some key learning points for the future.
Between the hours of 19:30 and 23:45 on Wednesday 2 January there were two separate incidents on Chantry Close and Summerfield Road in which items were taken from unattended vehicles.
Any residents who have information in relation to these incidents should phone 101 and quote NYP-02012019-0534 for Chantry Close or NYP-02012019-0425 for Summerfield Road.
When leaving your vehicle North Yorkshire Police urge residents to remove any valuables from your vehicle and ensure that all doors are locked and windows are closed. If you see anyone acting suspiciously then please don’t hesitate to phone 999 in an emergency or 101 in a non-emergency.
In March 2018, despite strong local opposition, permission was granted for 11 homes to be built on the thin strip of land between Mayfield Grove and St Helens Road. Approval was granted subject to a number of conditions being met. This included getting approval for the types of boundary fencing to be installed, and adhering to a condition that the narrow track onto the site from Mayfield Grove is not used for vehicular traffic.
In recent weeks the developers, Arncliffe Homes, have submitted applications to the council to explain how they propose to implement these conditions. The first batch of applications can be viewed on the council website HERE
The applications for conditions 4 and 9 describe the type of boundary fencing being proposed (condition 4) and tree protection arrangements (condition 9). Any residents who wish to comment on any of these applications can do so by going to the above link and clicking on ‘comments.’ Alternatively, comments can be submitted by e-mail to planning.comments@york.gov.uk (quote ref 15/02726/FULM).
In the second batch of applications, Arncliffe Homes are challenging condition 27. This condition states:
“The existing access between the site and Mayfield Grove shall not be used by vehicular traffic…. the approved bollards shall be erected prior to the commencement of development….in the interests of highway safety and residential amenity as the access is considered to be substandard in terms of its width and junction design for use by vehicular traffic.”
By way of justification, Arncliffe Homes say:
“It will not be feasible to carry out this work prior to commencement of demolition and construction as suggested in condition 27. Access for machinery is required during construction to enable foul and surface water connections into the site, from Mayfield Grove. We will ensure the bollards are installed prior to first occupation on the development. During construction the strip of land will be blocked off at both ends by Harris-style fencing and “No Vehicle Access” signs will be fitted to the fencing.”
Traffic and parking is already problematic on Mayfield Grove, and so the proposal by Arncliffe Homes to use the narrow track for machinery access is unlikely to help matters.
Residents who wish to view and comment on the proposal that condition 27 be overturned can do so by visiting the council website HERE and clicking on ‘comments’. Alternatively, comments can be submitted by e-mail to planning.comments@york.gov.uk (quote ref 15/02726/FULM).
Work has begun on renewal of the Little Hob Moor footpath / cycle path that links Tadcaster Road with Hob Moor Terrace. The work is being funded from the Dringhouses & Woodthorpe Ward Committee budget.
Phase 1 complete
Last month Community Payback teams did some preparatory grass verge edging, prior to the first stretch of path being treated. The next phase of work is due to commence on 14 January.
A section of path yet to be treated
As expected, developers have formally submitted an application to build 516 homes on Green Belt land adjacent to Askham Bog off Moor Lane in Woodthorpe.
The red line marks the boundary of the proposed development site
The plans are overwhelmingly opposed by local residents, and by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust which manages Askham Bog.
Local Lib Dem councillors have consistently opposed the plans, and we urge residents to lodge objections with the council. The planning application can be viewed on the council website HERE. To submit an objection, go to this website and click on ‘Comments’ and follow the instructions.
***UPDATE*** The council website had initially shown a deadline of 9th January for residents to submit comments and objections. This was incorrect, and we are now told that the closing date will be at the end of January or beginning of February.
The Post Office counter at the Moorcroft Road branch is set to re-open on the afternoon of Friday 7th December.
The Woodthorpe York Community Group organised a successful ‘Merry & Bright’ event at the Moorcroft Road shops on Saturday 1 December.
Entertainment was provided by Lucy’s Pop Choir and Kenny Stamp on the trombone. Local businesses joined in with the festivities, with Cox & Co and Richardson’s butchers providing food and drink.
We have today received a response from Post Office Ltd about the sudden closure of Woodthorpe Post Office:
“Thank you for your recent email about the Woodthorpe Post Office.
The provision of Post Office services to our customers in your community is important to us, and I’m really sorry we weren’t able to provide any advance warning of this closure.
I can confirm that this branch has been closed on a temporary basis due to circumstances outside of Post Office Ltd’s control. We can’t disclose any further details about the closure as this information is private and confidential, and I’m unable to confirm when the branch will re-open, I can however assure you that our internal teams are working to minimise this disruption in service as much as possible.
We are fully aware of the importance the Post Office has for the customers who depend on us, and I want to assure you that we remain committed to ensuring essential services remain accessible for customers in your community.
Our Area Management Team are also aware of the situation at this branch, and are working hard to identify a solution for the short-term and long-term future of Post Office services in this area. Updates will also be circulated locally as soon as possible.
I can appreciate the inconvenience and frustration this closure may have caused yourself and the local community, and in the meantime I’d advise that you use Post Office services at an alternative branch.
You can use our Branch Finder to find your nearest alternative branch and the services that they offer. Just head over to http://www.postoffice.co.uk/branch-finder and enter your address or postcode.
Once again, please accept my apologies for the temporary closure of this branch and any concern caused. If we can be of any further assistance please don’t hesitate to get back in touch with us again by replying to this email or emailing us at customercare@postoffice.co.uk directly.”
Local Lib Dem councillors have asked Post Office Ltd for urgent answers on why the Post Office counter in Woodthorpe has closed, and for how long it will remain shut.
There is a notice on the door stating that it is closed for a ‘routine stock take’, but a number of residents have heard that it may be closed for up to five weeks.
Cllr Ashley Mason at Woodthorpe Post Office
The Post Office counter is a valuable facility for many local residents, and as Christmas approaches is likely to be particularly busy as residents send parcels to friends and family.
We will post further updates as and when we receive answers from Post Office Ltd.