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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29 Moor Lane Acomb York YO24 2QX
Single storey side and rear extensions after demolition of existing garage, and loft conversion with hip to gable roof, dormer to rear and 2no. rooflights to front
Erection of single storey extension extending 3.8 metres beyond the rear wall of the original house, with a height to the eaves of 3.65 metres and a total height of 2.3 metres
Dringhouses & Woodthorpe councillors have welcomed an announcement from Network Rail that they have abandoned plans to establish a temporary rail compound on land off Moor Lane in Dringhouses.
The plans first came to light in February 2021 when residents and councillors were shocked to receive notification that Network Rail planned to establish a compound on Moor Lane to support upgrade work on the line between York and Church Fenton until February 2024. Network Rail said that it would be used to provide access to the railway, to store materials and machinery and to house staff welfare facilities. The announcement led to the sale of a house on Moor Lane falling through, causing considerable distress for the family affected.
In response to local concerns, Network Rail paused their plans and in April 2021 they proposed to locate the compound further away from neighbouring properties. A drop-in session was held at York College in December 2021 at which residents were invited to view revised plans and ask questions of the Network Rail team.
In an e-mail to Cllr Stephen Fenton on 1 April 2022, Network Rail confirmed that they no longer need to construct a temporary compound at Dringhouses. This is because changes in the order of the upgrade programme will allow more time for the track renewal work between York and Copmanthorpe to take place, enabling the upgrades to be carried out at weekends when longer periods are available for the teams to work. This will enable Network Rail to efficiently transport its teams, materials and equipment from a new construction hub at Gascoigne Wood near Sherburn-in-Elmet within the time allowed, instead of having to house them in a compound next to the line at Moor Lane.
Commenting on the news, Cllr Stephen Fenton said “This issue has rumbled on for over a year since the plans were first announced, and so I am pleased that Network Rail have been able to find a solution which will enable the upgrade work to go ahead without the need to create a compound on this green field site.
“Apart from the noise nuisance that residents feared would be created, there were also concerns about vehicles accessing and exiting the site via a very busy stretch of Moor Lane. The local community, and Network Rail, can now move on from this episode.”
Fell 1no. Elm and 1no. Beech; remove low level stem from 1no. Elm; lateral reduction of 1no. Beech; remove low limb from 1no. Beech; lateral crown reduction and remove up to 3 low limbs from 2no. Poplar trees – protected by Tree Preservation Order no. 13
Network Rail have organised a drop-in session for local residents on Wednesday 8 December to discuss plans for a temporary compound on land next to the railway line off Moor Lane in Woodthorpe. The event will be held at York College from 4pm to 7pm. Local councillors were made aware of the event in an e-mail from Network Rail on Monday 6 December, though we understand that there has been a letter drop to households near the compound site.
Earlier this year councillors called on Network Rail to engage with local residents about the plans after they announced their plans to establish a compound on Moor Lane to support upgrade work on the line between York and Church Fenton. The initial plans would have seen the compound located 40 metres away from homes on Moor Lane. News of the plans led directly to the sale of a home falling through at the last minute, causing the residents considerable distress.
Cllr Stephen Fenton has repeatedly called on Network Rail to meaningfully engage with local residents
Cllr Stephen Fenton called on Network Rail to pause their plans and listen to the concerns expressed by local residents. Then in April Network Rail announced that they were proposing to move the compound further downfield to help reduce both visual and noise disturbance from the site.
In their latest e-mail to Cllr Fenton on 6 December, Network Rail said:
“This compound will be vital in enabling us to carry out major track improvement work as part of our Transpennine Route Upgrade, which will allow more frequent, more reliable, faster, greener trains between York, Leeds and Manchester. For a number of months our project team have been investigating what they can do to minimise disruption and intrusion for lineside neighbours and the local community.
Following feedback, we have now been able to move the site of the compound further down the field and additional shielding will be provided by a topsoil barrier. Both these mitigations will help reduce both visual and noise disturbance from the site to residents while we carry out these major upgrade works. We continue to work with City of York Council to obtain agreement to widen the main access gate to assist large vehicles to enter and exit the site.
It is planned that the compound will be active from 15 February 2022 until approximately July 2024. It will only be in operation when required, which will not be for the entirety of this period, but when in use the compound will be operating up to 24-hours a day, which will generate a low to moderate level of noise.
Below is a diagram showing the improved location and layout of the temporary compound. The machine stabling will be placed furthest away from the houses to reduce noise and disturbance. The compound will include:
Temporary office
Staff welfare facility and toilet units
Containers for storage
Fuel bowser and generator
Car parking spaces”
Network Rail’s latest compound plans
Cllr Stephen Fenton commented “I’m pleased that Network Rail have organised this event to provide residents with an opportunity to quiz the Network Rail team about the plans and the impact that the compound is likely to have on neighbouring households. I remain concerned in particular about the proposed vehicular access arrangements onto Moor Lane – I note that Network Rail is in contact with council officers about this and would hope and expect there to be a thorough safety assessment undertaken.”
Variation of condition 2 (approved plans) of permitted application 17/01419/FULM to remove ‘Stair 2’ and replace with external escape stair, remove second floor hobby room and for all external cladding to be replaced with blue brick
