Agenda and draft minutes

To receive and note apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received and accepted for Cllrs Ayre, Burton and Clarke.

At this point in the meeting, Members and co-opted members are asked to declare any disclosable pecuniary interest, or other registerable interest, they might have in respect of business on this agenda, if they have not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. The disclosure must include the nature of the interest.

An interest must also be disclosed in the meeting when it becomes apparent to the member during the meeting.

[Please see attached sheet for further guidance for Members].

Members were asked to declare at this point in the meeting any disclosable pecuniary interest or other registerable interest they might have in respect of business on the agenda, if they had not already done so in advance on the Register of Interests. Concerning agenda item 5b Castle Car Park, Castlegate, York [22/00209/FULM], Cllr Watson noted that it had been discussed at Corporate Scrutiny Committee and Cllr Merrett noted that he had raised a question on it at that meeting. The Chair noted that he was a Trustee at York Museums Trust and his mum was member of the Steering Group at York Disability Rights Forum. Cllr Watson noted that he was a Trustee at York Archaeological Trust.

To approve and sign the minutes of the Planning Committee A meeting held on 11 September 2025.

That the minutes of the Planning Committee A meeting held on 11 September 2025 be approved as a correct record.

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so. Members of the public may speak on agenda items or on matters within the remit of the committee.

Please note that our registration deadlines have changed to 2 working days before the meeting, in order to facilitate the management of public participation at meetings.  The deadline for registering at this meeting is 5:00pm on Tuesday 9 December 2025.

To register to speak please visit www.york.gov.uk/AttendCouncilMeetings to fill in an online registration form.  If you have any questions about the registration form or the meeting, please contact Democratic Services.  Contact details can be found at the foot of this agenda.

Webcasting of Public Meetings

Please note that, subject to available resources, this meeting will be webcast, including any registered public speakers who have given their permission. The meeting can be viewed live and on demand at www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

It was reported that there had been no registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme on general matters within the remit of the Planning Committee.

This item invites Members to determine the following planning application:

Members considered a schedule of reports of the Head of Planning and Development, relating to the following planning application, outlining the proposals and relevant policy considerations and setting out the views of consultees and officers.

Public realm improvements including new green space with children's play, 30 blue badge parking spaces, creation of a circular path to the base of Clifford's Tower and works to the Eye of York, following removal of the surface level car park [Guildhall Ward]

Members considered a major full application from Ben Murphy (Head of City Development, City of York Council) for the Public realm improvements including new green space with children's play, 30 blue badge parking spaces, creation of a circular path to the base of Clifford's Tower and works to the Eye of York, following removal of the surface level car park at Castle Car Park, Castlegate, York.

The Senior Planning Officer gave a presentation on the application, detailing the proposed site plan. She was asked and showed where trees were retained and removed on the tree removal/retention plan. She was asked and clarified the boundary at the north east tip of the site. She was asked and explained that the details of the play equipment were indicative and would be a condition.

The Senior Planning Officer gave an update on the presentation noting that there had been an addition consultee response from York Liberal Jewish Community (YLJC), York Civic Trust and English Heritage. She detailed the officer responses to all the representations noting that the officer recommendation remained unchanged. The Head of Planning and Development Services noted that there had been three further representations after the update had been printed. These were from a York resident, a non York resident and from the Board of Deputies of British Jews.

Public Speakers

On behalf of York Liberal Jewish Community, Lilian Coulson spoke in objection to the application. She noted concern regarding the 1190 memorial garden suggesting that it needed amending to meet the needs of people who use it. She suggested a number of changes to the memorial garden and detailed the York Liberal Jewish Community’s submitted design. Members asked her questions to which she explained that:

·        York Liberal Jewish Community had been consulted and had suggested changes to the landscaping.

·        The radial pathway had no Jewish significance and was not suitable for disabled people.

[In response to a Member question the Chair explained that the 1190 memorial event was not a planning consideration].

Christina Funnell, Chair of York Interfaith Group, spoke in support of the application. She explained that the group brought people of different faiths together and some people had to travel out of York to practise their faiths. She noted that York was a City of Sanctuary. She fully supported the application in general and asked for the memorial garden to be expanded to include a peace garden.

Flick Williams spoke in support of the application. She welcomed the retention of 30 blue badge parking spaces and noted that the applicant had listened to feedback from disabled people. She expressed concern regarding the interim parking arrangements during the works and asked for blue badge spaces to be available during the redevelopment works.

David Staniland, agent for applicant, spoke in support of the application. He explained that the scheme transformed the car park into a high quality green space that would create an amenity to different groups in the city centre. He detailed the proposed plans and added that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.