Our Lady’s school site
The proposal to build 56 additional homes on the site of the former Our Lady’s school on Windsor Garth was tonight deferred for further consideration.
Concerns were expressed about the high density of the layout, the lack of play facilities or community space, the poor sustainability features of the homes plus the need to retain the existing metal security railings.
It is likely that a refined design will be submitted to a Planning Committee meeting next year.
Derelict school site next to Hob Moor
This despite a large number of objections and the proposal being in conflict with the Councils own rules on development densities.
The number of homes being proposed is almost twice the number agreed by the same planning department when they published the draft Local Plan earlier in the year.
It will be interesting to see how they manage to justify that particular policy somersault!
The planning application will be decided at the Planning-Committee meeting on 21 November 2013, at 4.30pm at West Offices, Station Rise, York.
The committee will visit the site at 12:45 pm on the Tuesday (17th November) before the meeting to familiarise themselves with the proposal and residents are also invited to attend.
Residents have the right to speak at the meeting. If you wish to speak, you must register this by telephoning (01904) 552062, and ask for Laura Bootland before 5:00pm on the last working day before the Committee meeting.
The proposal has been mired in controversy since a Labour cabinet member (Clr Merrett) publicly endorsed the scheme shortly after the planning application had been submitted, but before residents had been given the opportunity to comment.
Derelict school site next to Hob Moor
A large number of objections to the development have been lodged including these from by the Friends of Hob Moor and the local Residents Association
The main objections expressed relate to the density of the development which would adversely impact on local public services.
Several residents have expressed concerns about drainage from the site which could damage the Hob Moor nature reserve.
Layout plan Nov 2013. Click to access
The absence of any play facilities has been mentioned by many. (According to the Council children will be expected to walk to the facilities on Chesney’s Field – but that is on the other side of a busy road).
Layout plan Sept 2013 click to access
It has emerged that the developers want to remove the – perfectly serviceable – metal railings which surround the site and replace them with a wooden fence. Metal railings are much more durable and effective than wooden fences.
It looks like it will be a few more weeks before this application reaches the planning committee.