Old dog, old tricks?

Those looking for a change of approach from the “new” Labour leadership on the York Council will be disappointed by the content of reports being circulated with next weeks Council agendas.

Having already broken the long standing convention that no party political opinions should be published in Council documentation, both the outgoing Leader and Deputy Leader have produced reports which criticise their opponents or seeking to blame the Coalition for all the ills of the world.

So much then for any attempt at making a fresh start or reaching consensus. Some at least want to continue the confrontational approach which was rejected so comprehensively by electors in the October by-election

Overgrown garage area

Overgrown garage area

One report even seeks to blame the government for a reduction in the number of people registered to vote in the City!

More significantly it continues to turn a blind eye to the deteriorating condition of the infrastructure (right) on many Council estates in the City.

Cllr Alexander sadly has written his own epitaph by claiming “Liberal Democrats want no Local Plan or one that would fail Government requirements” In reality, a Local Plan agreed in 2011 which Labour tinkered with and then withdraw.

Liberal Democrats want a Local Plan which respects both the priorities of the City’s population and which seeks to preserve the unique qualities of the City. Labour’s plan to expand the size of the City by over 20% during the next 15 years satisfied neither of the tests.

Failure to produce a Local Plan which could attract the support of both the Council and the people of the City is a poor legacy to leave to your successor.

How many Labour Councillors does it take to change a light bulb?

Two Cabinet members are to be summoned to a meeting on 11th December to decide whether to include the Punch Bowl in on a list of properties subject to an article 4 direction.

A meeting in October rejected the request even though designation would only require any proposed change of use to be subject to a formal planning application.

The Cabinet members for Planning and for Finance are now being asked to remove permitted development rights by CAMRA who are backed by a 1200 signature petition.

Bus service cuts – no consultation planned

Residents will have to wait until early January before finding out which local bus services Labour plan to cut. A decision meeting would have aired the issue was to have taken place on 11th December. old bus

The issue has now been referred to a Cabinet meeting scheduled for 6th January 2015.

The Council has made it clear that they are not proposing to consult with passengers likely to be affected by any cuts.

Planning permission sought for replacement sports hall at Heslington

The planning committee taking place on 4th December will consider an application to replace the temporary University sports hall which is located on Heslington Lane.

The temporary hall has been in use for over 8 years and is showing signs of wear and tear.

Location of hall

Location of hall

The replacement hall measures approximately 55m x 40m x 13m to the ridge. The building would be insulated and incorporate heating and ventilation. Materials would comprise insulated panels and a fabric membrane roof, all over a galvanised steel frame. Access would remain as existing, from Heslington Lane via James Way.

The application is recommended for approval.

Sport England have asked for a condition securing the use of the sports hall by the local community.

The hall is additional to the facilities being provided at the sports village on Hull Road.

Latest Planning applications Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Location:       Omnicom Engineering 292 Tadcaster Road York YO24 1ET

Proposal:       Two storey side and rear extensions, single storey rear extension and detached annexe to rear

Ref No: 14/02421/FUL

Applicant:      Mr & Mrs Forsyth     Contact Mr Matthew Parkins      Consultation Expiry Date        17 December 2014 Case Officer:   David Johnson   Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       Omnicom Engineering 292 Tadcaster Road York YO24 1ET

Proposal:       Two storey side and rear extensions, single storey rear extension and detached annexe to rear, new rooflights to rear and internal alterations

Ref No: 14/02422/LBC

Applicant:      Mr & Mrs Forsyth        Contact Mr Matthew Parkins      Consultation Expiry Date        17 December 2014 Case Officer:   David Johnson   Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       90 Ryecroft Avenue York YO24 2SD

Proposal:       Single storey rear extension

Ref No: 14/02549/FUL

Applicant:      Mr And Mrs John Farrell Contact Simon Horne     Consultation Expiry Date        15 December 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       5 Girvan Close York YO24 2XR

Proposal:       Single storey side extension and two storey side extension

Ref No: 14/02616/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Lana Scoot   Contact Mr Chris Allan  Consultation Expiry Date        15 December 2014Case Officer:   David Johnson   Expected Decision Level DEL

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Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site.  http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

York Local Plan – private briefing meeting announced

 

The York Council has issued a media release saying that all Councillors are being invited to a (private) briefing session on options for progressing the Local Plan.

Local Plan consultation leafletApparently they will be able to question the consultants who produced the background data that was claimed to underpin Labour’s “Big City” strategy.

It was a tactic which resulted in a plan which attracted massive public opposition and which was then ditched at the October Council meeting.

It is unusual for the Council to issue a media release about an internal briefing session. While any attempt to involve all groups represented on the Council in making important decisions would be a step forward, consultants evidence is often predicated on justifying a given political outcome.

Some fresh thinking, and options, will be expected by opposition councillors

In particular Councillors will be expecting to see robust challenges to both the economic growth assumptions, and resultant housing building plans, which caused so much unrest in the City.

The Council media release reads,
(more…)

Wetherby Road – plans for materials recycling centre

Harewood WhinYorwaste have submitted a planning application to erect a waste transfer and recycling station at Harewood Whin

The station would be used to “bulk up” waste prior to it being transported to the new incinerator being built at Allerton Park

The applicant has agreed to unilaterally revoke earlier planning permissions for the erection of a composting operation in the southern section of the site and the erection of energy from Biomass Plant at the north western edge of the site.

51 objections to the plans have been lodged mainly by residents in the Rufforth area.

Most are concerned about the plants impact on the Green Belt.

The report, which will be considered by the Planning Committee next week, can be read here

NB The site was to have been used as a salvage and recycling centre under plans unveiled in 2011. It would have replaced the Beckfield Lane recycling centre. The Beckfield Lane site was later closed by the new Labour administration which chose to make no alternative recycling facilities available on the west of York.

Clegg slams Labour Local Plan for York

In a letter to local Labour Councillor James Alexander the Liberal Democrat leader criticises “incremental” housing development – adding homes to existing communities – and advocates larger schemes on “Garden City” principles that are accompanied by new schools and other key infrastructure.

Labour's Local Plan proposals 2013 click to enlarge

Labour’s Local Plan proposals 2013 click to enlarge

He writes: “I recognise that the incremental add-on style of development, or ‘urban sprawl’, tends to cause high levels of local resentment.

“Building around the edges of existing developments often destroys local green spaces, does nothing to improve local infrastructure and tends to create a drain on resources such as schools and hospitals.”

The Lib Dem leader said he was looking at a “range of options” to encourage communities to accept new garden cities.

The Local Plan published by Labour 18 months go relied heavily on incremental development. The fringe building proposals including using sensitive sites like Moor Lane

The Labour Plan was sent back to the drawing board in October

The only development which might have been considered to be a new “garden village” was a 6000 home community be called “Whinthorpe” which was to have been located south of the A64 southern by pass near the University.

It is, however, in the Green Belt and would require a huge investment in transport infrastructure to bring to fruition.

The expectation is that any new garden village would be located further away from existing urban areas with the ability to provide enhanced transport links a key criteria.

Liberal Democrats have previously identified how an additional 12,000 homes can be provided on brownfield land in the City over the next 25 years.

This would be adequate to meet the requirements of any realistic economic growth projection.

The LibDem plan would – unlike Labours – include a “windfall” allowance intended to recognised that many homes will be built on sites which are currently used for other purposes.

NB. Most new homes built in the City during the last 5 years have been built on brownfield land.

Over the last 18 months a record number of planning applications for new houses (over 1600) have been approved by the York Council. 90% of these have been for brownfield “windfall” sites not identified for redevelopment in Labours Local Plan.

York house building lags behind rest of country

Despite the economic recovery, York lagged behind the rest of the country in the number of new homes completed last year.Behind closed doors logo

A report published after a “behind closed doors” meeting held last week revealed that only 50 affordable homes were built in the City last year.

This is down from the 282 built during the last year of the Liberal Democrat led Council administration in 2010/2011.

It compares to the annual target of 790 new homes adopted by Labour Councillors following a “strategic market assessment”.

On average, 150 affordable homes had been built annually during the pervious 5 years.

Alarmingly the number of new affordable homes being added by the Council is now less than the number of Council houses being sold under “Right to Buy” legislation

Year

 RTB Applications RTB Sales

11/12

 20 6
12/13 88

23
13/14 77

53

The Council has failed to invest the income from RTB sales effectively

The Council has also failed to use its substantial £12.86 million housing surplus to buy empty homes on the open market, and resolutely refuses to use the “New Homes Bonus” (money provided by the government to recognise house building success) on affordable homes.

Small wonder that Labour did not want these figures to be debated in public.

The only crumb of comfort was that – in line with the rest of the country – the total number of planning applications for new homes rose from 370 units in 2012 to 1578 last year, although a significant proportion of these were for specialist student flats.

Latest Planning applications Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Ward

Below are the latest planning applications received by the York Council for the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward.

Full details can be found by clicking the application reference

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Location:       11 The Spinney York YO24 1JP

Proposal:       Single storey front extension

Ref No: 14/01969/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Gordon Holdsworth    Contact Mr Keith England       Consultation Expiry Date        29 September 2014Case Officer:   Sandra Duffill  Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       Knavesmire Manor Hotel 302 Tadcaster Road York YO24 1HE

Proposal:       Demolition of single storey building containing swimming pool together with associated buildings

Ref No: 14/02002/FUL

Applicant:      The Knavesmire Venture LLP      Contact Mr Ian Atkinson Consultation Expiry Date        29 September 2014 Case Officer:   Clare Davies    Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       20 Dringthorpe Road York YO24 1NF

Proposal:       Single storey side and rear extension

Ref No: 14/02017/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Anthony Flint        Consultation Expiry Date        29 September 2014 Case Officer:   Carolyn Howarth Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       9 The Grove York YO24 1XD

Proposal:       Crown reduce by 25%  Horse Chestnut (T8) to reduce weight on large limbs. Tree protected by Tree Preservation Order CYC 8,

Ref No: 14/02069/TPO

Applicant:      Andrew Cook     Contact Stephen Evans   Consultation Expiry Date        29 September 2014 Case Officer:   Esther Priestley        Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       18 Chalfonts York YO24 1EX

Proposal:       Two storey detached dwelling to side of no.18 after demolition of existing single storey extension (revised scheme)

Ref No: 14/00846/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Richard Smith     Contact Mark Tabert     Consultation Expiry Date        8 October 2014 Case Officer:   Jonathan Kenyon Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       A Platt 36 Middlethorpe Grove York YO24 1JS

Proposal:       Conversion of retail unit (use Class A1) to 1no. dwellinghouse(s) (class C3) under Class IA, Part 3, Schedule 2 of Article 3 of The Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995, as Amended

Ref No: 14/02043/RFPRES

 

Applicant:      Mahdlo Investments Limited      Contact Mr James Gibson Consultation Expiry Date        6 October 2014Case Officer:   Heather Fairy (Mon – Wed)       Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       306 Tadcaster Road York YO24 1HE

Proposal:       Conversion of existing outbuildings into 1no. dwelling with single storey side extension with new access from Nelsons Lane

Ref No: 14/02074/FUL

Applicant:      Mr Mark Pullan  Contact Mr Kenny Brown  Consultation Expiry Date        8 October 2014 Case Officer:   Heather Fairy (Mon – Wed)       Expected Decision Level DEL

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Location:       306 Tadcaster Road York YO24 1HE

Proposal:       Conversion of existing outbuildings into 1no. dwelling with single storey side extension with associated landscaping and parking

Ref No: 14/02076/LBC

Applicant:      Mr Mark Pullan  Contact Mr Kenny Brown  Consultation Expiry Date        8 October 2014 Case Officer:   Heather Fairy (Mon – Wed)       Expected Decision Level DEL

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Representations can be made in favour of, or in objection to, any application via the Planning on line web site. http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/online-applications/

NB. The Council now no longer routinely consults neighbours by letter when an application is received.

Labour still planning population growth of 40,000 in York over next 15 years.

5000 homes lopped from Local Plan following unprecedented number of objections as residents force short term reprieve for Moor Lane development.

Stables housing site on Tadcaster Road

Stables housing site on Tadcaster Road

Labour have revealed a “new” Local Plan which commits them to building around 1000 home s per year on average during the next 15 years. A higher rate is planned of the next 6 years

This means that the size of the City will increase by over 20% during the period up to 2030.

Net internal population growth (births minus deaths) is around 1000 a year on average

With home occupancy at over 2 persons per dwelling, this generates a demand for around 500 additional homes each year.

The others will be occupied by inward migrants.

The Council statement says,

“In order to continue maximising the delivery of housing, new targets have been proposed in the plan to a minimum of 996 homes per annum over the Local Plan period. For the first six years sufficient land will be earmarked to build 1,170 homes per annum, delivering 16,980 over the life time of the plan, to accommodate a population growth of around 40,000 people over the next 15-years

The previous target was 1090 – 1250 new and affordable homes per year up to 2030. Amendments to the portfolio of sites reflect up to date evidence base work. Approach to density is National Planning Policy framework (NPPF) compliant”.

The latest draft of the Local Plan gives residents some hope that the proposed development of 17 hectares of land on Moor Lane (enough for 500 houses) will not happen in the foreseeable future.   Labour is now proposing that this area should be “safeguarded” and not developed until after 2030.

In welcoming the change Lib Dem Councillor Ann Reid said “I am in no doubt that the number of residents who objected to this site through letters, emails and petitions helped bring this change about.    However we cannot be complacence as developers will continue to fight to be allowed to develop this land.   I shall continue to support resident in a bid to completely remove the land from the plan.”

Meanwhile the other sites in Dringhouses and Woodthorpe are still included.

 The proposals are for 116 houses at the Stables/Cherry Lane and 50 at the old Park and Ride site.  

The land behind The Square has been reduced in size following representations from The Hospice with 49 houses proposed instead of the original 65.

Despite the overall drop in numbers and Labour claiming a “brownfield first” policy, 80% of the proposed development will take place on green field sites.

NB. A reference to a gypsy Caravan site being constructed on Moor Lane actually refers to Wetherby Road between the A1237 and Rufforth. Two sites are proposed. Neither were included in last year’s consultation process

Draft Local Plan download

Committee agenda and papers click here http://tinyurl.com/LPYork22

Crunch Green Belt meeting put back

Green Belt campaign logo The Council meeting – which was to have publicly discussed for the first time Labours plans to build in the York Green Belt – has been put back from the 18th September to Monday 22nd September.

The decision has not been publicised and is obviously designed to ensure that only minimum notice is given to residents about the revised plans.

Labour hope that this will frustrate opponents of their original plan which would have seen the size of the City increase by 25% over the next 15 years.

Now it appears that the new plans won’t be made available to the public before 15th September.

The proposals will then be rushed through a – Labour controlled – Cabinet meeting on 25th September.