Agenda item

An update on the Burnhome development which will include a Housing update, residents will have the opportunity to raise any issues

Ben Burton gave an update onall aspects of the successful Burnholme development which commenced in 2016 and receives approximately 12,000 visitors a year.

Care Home - There are plans to build an 80 bedded specialist dementia care home on the site which should be completed by September 2020.  City of York Council sold the site to HC One but will purchase beds back as it is difficult for City of York Council to fully operate care homes under current policies.

Sports Centre – A total of £2.4 million has been spent on the Burnholme Sports Centre which will be leased to GLL. Work is currently being carried out on the playing field (drainage/re-seeding) which should be completed by September 2020.  However, the sports hall should be completed by January 2020.

Cycle Lane/Footpath - The cycle lane/foot path between Derwenthorpe and Bad Bargain Lane which has been closed for approximately ten years is currently being re-surfaced and re-lit and work should be completed by January 2020. 

Health Centre - The plot between the library and sports hall is currently empty but will become a new health centre (when discussions with the CCG have been concluded).  It is envisaged that three local surgeries may close when the new health centre is up and running. 

Housing Development - A new development of between 70 – 90 residential properties (comprising a mixture of tenures including 40 per cent affordable properties) will be built between St Aelreds and the main Burnholme site.

A resident asked whether residents would get reduced rates to use the sports facilities. Ben Burton was not sure but confirmed that he would make further enquiries.

Another resident enquired as to whether any dog bins would be installed along the upgraded cycle lane/footpath between Derwenthorpe and Bad Bargain Lane.  Ben Burton was unsure but assured the resident that he would make further enquiries.

An issue was raised by a resident involved parking provision within the new Burnholme development and was assured by Ben Burton that generous parking provision had been factored into the master plan.  There would also be a significant improvement to the local bus service.

Another resident wanted to know what Tang Hall Library was being used for.  Ben Burton confirmed that it was being used as an archiving facility.

A further point of concern was how local schools would manage with increased numbers of children in the area.  Ben Burton confirmed that a financial contribution would be made to the Education Team to accommodate increased numbers.

With regard to the Burnholme development as a whole, Ben Burton was asked how many contractors were involved and where the main access to the new housing would be.  He confirmed that only one appointed contractor was involved and that Bad Bargain Lane would be the main point of vehicular access.  

At this stage in the meeting, Councillor Warters commented on the dreadful state that David Wilson Homes(development partner to the Joseph Rowntree Housing Association)  had left Fifth Avenue when using it as access to Derwenthorpe and expressed concern at their lack of accountability.  On a separate issue, he suggested that the speed bumps should be removed on Bad Bargain Lane. 

Finally, Ben Burton confirmed that a Design Workshop was planned between 09:45 and 17:00 on Saturday 23 November at the Burnholme Centre (although this has yet to be confirmed).