Details of next Monday’s meeting, which will review the decision to scrap the cycle lane in Water End, have been published. They can be found on the Council web page by clicking here: http://tinyurl.com/call-in-water-end

The agenda for the special Council meeting, which will consider saving the Beckfield Lane recycling centre, has also been published. It can be found here: http://tinyurl.com/Beckfield-Special

The meeting is scheduled to take place on Tuesday 24th April in the Guildhall commencing at 6:30pm

Following a number of two-in-one burglaries around the county, North Yorkshire Police are warning residents to be vigilant.

A two-in-one burglary occurs when criminals break into your home with the intention of taking the keys to your car so they can steal it.

Taking some simple crime prevention measures can deter thieves from targeting your homes and vehicles.

High-performance vehicles tend to be targeted, but if criminals spot an opportunity any vehicle is under threat of being stolen.

Continue reading →

As part of the York 800 celebrations, the University of York are offering a range of one-off learning events exploring the history and heritage of the city. July the 9th 2012 sees the 800th anniversary of York becoming a self-governing city. Back in 1212, King John signed the charter which allowed the people of York to collect and pay the annual tax to the Crown, hold their own courts and to appoint a mayor – but how much do you know about the city and its unique history and heritage? All of these sessions, offered in collaboration by the Centre for Lifelong Learning, and York Mansion House, are aimed at adult learners and will be held at key heritage sites around the city.

More details can be found at http://tinyurl.com/York800-Uni

Continue reading →

There are lots of summer fair’s planned for York’s parks and open spaces this year! With lots of great activities to try and things to see and free entry too!

Hob Moor
Saturday 26th May 1:00pm – 3:30pm

West Bank Park
Sunday 24th June 1:00pm – 3:30pm

Rowntree Park
Saturday 14th July 2:00pm – 5:00pm

Hull Road Park
Saturday 11th August 1:00pm – 3:30pm

Acomb Green
Saturday 25th August 1:00pm – 3:30pm

For more information contact:
Tel: (01904) 553392 email: parks@york.gov.uk
http://www.york.gov.uk/environment/Parks_and_open_spaces

The school on Trafalgar Street is set to expand with the erection of a school hall, first floor and two storey extension to south wing to create extra classrooms, and single storey reception, cloakroom and toilet extensions.

The school intends to increase the number of pupils from 260-420 over the next 3 years. To accommodate the extra capacity it is proposed to reconfigure the internal layout and planning permission is sought for the following extensions:-
• Single storey flat roof extension to provide w/c and cloakrooms at the end of the west wing (by Lorne Street entrance).
• New main hall to the east side of the south wing (between the school and the cottage which faces Campleshon Road).
• An extension at the end of the south wing, to provide 2 further classrooms at ground floor level and 2 within the roof void.
• Single storey extension to main entrance and new heads office.
• The temporary classrooms currently on site would be relocated to the main school playground and removed when the works are completed.

The facilities within the school (learning resources, new hall and sports facilities) will be available for community use.

An additional 7 full time members of staff are expected to be employed as a result of the School’s expansion making 32 in total.

Thursday’s Planning committee is being recommended to remove a Planning Condition, on a Millfield Lane club house in Nether Poppleton, which restricts it to a football related use only.

The removal of the condition would allow other activities such as fitness classes, seminars and meetings (max 40 persons), art classes, craft classes, weight watchers, chess and dominoes, children’s fitness classes, bingo, beetle drives, afternoon tea dances, baby ballet and signing groups and other baby activities, and children’s parties.

Officers report that many of these activities are already taking place.

It seems that the recycling centre will remain open until at least 24th April (when the special Council meeting to decide its future will take place)

The summer opening hours now apply
Weekends; 10:00am – 2:00pm
Weekday evenings: 5:00pm – 7:00pm

Council officials are recommending approval of a planning application from the National Trust who own and currently occupy the Goddards site at 27 Tadcaster Road. The application is to open up part of the building as a visitor attraction. It is proposed to open up rooms on the ground and first floor to the public. Opening hours to the public would be restricted to 9:30am and 4:30pm,
The gardens are already open to the public, for recreation, but potentially the permission could allow these to be used for events.

The house is grade 1 listed, it was built in 1926-27 by Walter Brierley* for Katherine and Noel Goddard Terry. It is recognised as the finest surviving work by the architect.

Access into the site is through the gatehouse, which fronts Tadcaster Road, the access road then leads to the main house and it’s gardens, and there is a car parking area to the north of the main house.
Planning permission was granted in 1983 for a change of use to convert the buildings on site from residential to office use. The permission was exclusive to the National Trust. Before 1983 the site was still resided at by the Terry family. The gatehouse reverted back to residential use from offices in 1999.

A public consultation event was held on site in Sept 2011 and attended by 87 persons. Officers report that, “All were in favour of the visitor attraction, and saw the proposed use as an important part of York’s history”.

Layout of Goddards. Click to enlarge

The Planning Committee (West) will consider the officer recommendation at a meeting on Thursday.

*Walter Henry Brierley (1862–1926) was a York architect who practiced in the city for 40 years. Continue reading →

click to enlarge

Although there has been some movement over the last few months in the housing market in Dringhouses, prices remain volatile.

Large developments are influencing prices

A 5 bedroomed chain free property in Wordsworth Crescent is available for £229K.

In the rental market a 1 bedroomed property in Walker Drive is available for £495 pcm. In Vincent Way a 3 bedroomed house is available for £695 pcm.

The latest House Price Index from Land Registry shows that house prices fell over the last year by -0.6 per cent. The number of property sales has increased slightly over the past 12 months, from an average of 57,334 sales per month from September to December 2010, to 60,392 in the same period a year later.

In Dringhouses the average price for a 2 bed property is now £169K having reduced over recent months.

Rentals for most properties have fallen although demand has pushed the average letting price for 3 bedroomed properties up to £906 pcm

Rental prices: Click to enlarge

City of York Council’s Sport and Active Leisure team is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to train up to become Community Nordic Walking Instructors.

The one day training course is organised by Nordic Walking UK in partnership with the council, and takes place on 24 May. Through taking part in the course you will gain a recognised qualification, have first aid training and become a fully fledged Community Nordic Walking Instructor. Continue reading →