Agenda item

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Monday 29 April 2013.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

It was reported that there had been one registration to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, and a number of Members of Council had requested to speak on Agenda item 3 – City of York Local Plan Preferred Options (minute 125):

Matthew Clements spoke on behalf of a number of residents of Heslington to express their dismay at the scale of the development proposed in the green belt. With the development already earmarked at Germany Beck and Heslington East this was not considered sustainable. Reference was made to the lack of detailed plans for the 186 hectare ‘garden village’ in order to allay resident’s fears. Highway and access issues were also a major concern and he asked members to consider other site options. 

Cllr Reid outlined the Liberal Democrat Groups concerns, particularly that the supporting documents had not yet been made available, key documents which would allow an assessment to be made that the proposed housing allocations were required. A number of new sites did not appear to have been included in the report and other sites reduced in size with no accompanying explanation. The Group referred to unachievable housing growth targets which could not be assessed without the accompanying documents.

Cllr Barton pointed out that the three minutes public participation limit on speakers was insufficient time in which to provide an adequate response to the proposals. He referred to the reasoned arguments put forward by residents against proposals which he hoped would be considered fully as part of the consultation process. He went on to urge members not to support development in the green belt.

Cllr Warters made reference to the recent presentation rather than consultation given to the Local Plan Working Group. He pointed out that the majority of residents in the affected areas were opposed to the proposed changes. Confirming that, if implemented this would leave a lasting legacy when there was no shortage of houses in the city, with the likelihood that Cabinet would be happy with 20% of the housing stock already in student use.

Cllr D’Agorne welcomed the changes made to the Plan by the Local Plan Working Group however, he felt further improvements could have been made if sustainability had been at the heart of the developments. Reference was made to carbon emissions and CYC targets and the need for high insulation in new homes to tackle fuel poverty and reduce emissions. He confirmed his support for Cllr Reid’s earlier comments and the need to boost local business and provide a steady housing supply as required.

Cllr Brooks spoke to raise concerns in respect of the proposed allocation of a gypsy/traveller site at Common Road/Hassacarr Lane in Dunnington, adjacent to housing and the Dunnington Sports Club. Land which had previously been identified by the Dunnington Playing Fields Association for the provision of additional car parking and pitches. Members were requested to amend the allocation in order to provide a well documented need in the local area for additional recreational facilities.

Cllr Orrell spoke in respect of the Huntington and New Earswick ward where the Plan proposed 2000 additional homes, a 50% increase in the area which would put a strain on existing infrastructure and be unsustainable. This was in addition to developments at Monks Cross and other already approved planning applications. Reference was also made to the full impact on the area and to the loss of green belt land with unused brown field sites.

Cllr Runciman spoke to question the proposed level of growth per annum provided in the Plan. Suggesting that lower levels were more likely, with proposed housing to the south and west of the city appealing to those working outside the city and pointing out the need for improvements to the highway network to cope with any proposals. It was essential to listen to residents and she proposed a re-examination of the Plan.

Cllr Cuthbertson spoke to represent residents in his Haxby and Wigginton ward referring to the strain any new development would have the existing infrastructure, in particular the main access roads into the villages. Additional development would exacerbate existing highway, drainage and flooding problems in the area. He also pointed out the incorrect siting of Haxby Station on the Plan.

Cllr Healey spoke in relation to population and job growth projections provided, referring to the need to provide graphs to illustrate the projections together with figures for the number of people in employment. With no major unemployment problem in the city the issue appeared to be the need to raise gross value added (GVA).

It was confirmed that, although Cllr Ayre had registered to speak at the meeting, he had been delayed and a copy of his written comments were handed to Cabinet.