Agenda item

This report outlines progress on the City Centre Area Action Plan (AAP). Following comprehensive consultation on the Issues and Options Report last year, it presents:-

• Appraisals of options emerging and preferred options
• Progress on ongoing consultation
• Progress on background documents and further work required
• Next steps in preparation of a Preferred Options document.

Members received a report which outlined the progress on the City Centre Action Plan (AAP). It presented the following; appraisals of options and emerging preferred options, progress on ongoing consultation, progress on background documents and further work required, next steps in preparation of a Preferred Options document.

Since the last report to Members in January 2009 Officers have been involved in the following areas of work:

·        Completion of the Options Appraisals (Annex A to report).

·        Progressed the evidence base.

·        Worked on the People Changing Places project alongside Beam

·        Progressed discussions on key projects such as the riverside, cultural quarter, Minster Piazza.

·        Ongoing consultation including a presentation to the Without Walls Board in March and York Civic Trust in September.

·        Production of a Vision Prospectus.

Members received a presentation from Officers, reminding them of the importance of the City Centre AAP, especially the importance of the City Centre to York’s economy due to tourist spend. The presentation also outlined the work completed to date.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

Members queried the delay in the City Centre Plan Process. Officers advised that there had been some slippage, but they were now satisfied with the timetable. Officers advised that in order to move the City Centre AAP it is important to decide which of the Emerging Preferred Options should be taken forward as Preferred Options and invited Members to make comments. Members commented as follows, by reference to the Issues and Options Questions detailed in Annex A of the Officers report:

·        Question 4 – Members reiterated concern regarding retail at York Central.

·        Question 8 – Offices in the City Centre have declined and significant employment sites are being lost as a result. Members felt that Options 2 and 3 should be considered as preferred options to support the principle of Office Quarters. Concern was expressed over option 4 that change of use and loss of larger offices should be resisted as far as possible.

·        Question 9 – it was highlighted that the size of office development should be clearly specified and not referred to as ‘small or medium sized’.

·        Question 12 – Members requested that Options 2 and 3 be kept in.

·        Question 13 – The potential for Option 3 should be reviewed.

·        Question 15 – A Member noted that options 1 and 2 were potentially prejudiced by the proposed St. Sampsons Square Taxi Rank.

·        Question 17 – members commented that Officers should consider including an Archaeology policy.

·        Question 21 – Option 3 to still be considered.

·        Question 22 – Members queried Option 5 and which other areas were being looked at as potential foot streets. Officers advised that this is still being looked into and there is no definitive answer at the moment.

·        Question 23 – Members queried Option 4 and the provision of a children’s play area. Officers advised that there is specific allocation for a City Centre play area under the Playbuilder Scheme which will ensure provision in the City Centre.

·        Question 29 – Members commented that the wording of Option 2 should be strengthened to emphasise that off-site facilities are a last resort.

·        Question 32 – Option 2 – any option should minimise energy consumption and not increase light pollution.

·        Question 33 – Members commented that the late night park and ride services in the City had not been successful and felt Officers should consider this fact  when looking at Option 1 and look at the diversion of stage carriage services to provide late night connections.

·        Question 34 – Any options for housing over shops should consider how accessible they are and the need for outdoor space.

·        Question 35 – Ensure that the sites are suitable for future development in all respects and not just for affordable housing. Members commented that the affordable housing threshold will be set through the Core Strategy process.

·        Question 38 – Members commented on the need for public open spaces at Castle Piccadilly.

·        Question 48 – AAP boundary needs to be wide enough to include necessary transport projects.

Vision Prospectus

Members considered Annex C of the report which introduced to them a document entitled ‘A Vision of York City Centre’. Officers advised that the document would be brought back to the next LDF meeting to be considered further and invited Members to email to them any detailed comments. Members made some initial comments on the document. These were as follows:

·        Members queried whether the title ‘A Vision of York City Centre’ was the correct title for the document and suggested the word ‘Prospectus’ may be better terminology.

·        Certain Members felt that the prospectus would be useful in encouraging vision and stimulating debate amongst interested parties. The prospectus is a  step in the right direction and contained some refreshing ideas.

·        Members commented that the public transport and air quality problems in the City centre need to be tackled.

·        Members commented on the appearance of the document in general and felt the plastic pages were unnecessary and costly and that the number of white blank spaces did not look attractive.

·        Members queried whether the document would be financially viable given the limited number of significant redevelopment opportunities in the City centre.

·        Some Members expressed concern at the very limited reference to the wider environment and sustainability agendas including responding to the climate change agenda and its application on access to and from the City Centre.

·        The Council’s Equalities department should be consulted on the style of the document further.

·         

RESOLVED: (i)         That Members contact Officers with any further comments on the Vision Prospectus and that it be brought back to the next meeting of the LDF Working Group for further consideration.

REASON:                  So that changes recommended as a result of discussions at this meeting and after the meeting via email, can be reported to Members and the report can progress through to the Executive.

RESOLVED (ii)         That Members noted and commented on the Options Appraisals as detailed above, as a basis for drafting the preferred options and undertaking further background work.

REASON:                  To ensure that the LDF City Centre Area Action Plan can be progressed to its next stage of development as highlighted in the Council’s Local Development Scheme.      

RESOLVED (iii)        That Members noted the next steps in preparing the Preferred Options document for presentation to them in 2010.

REASON:                  To ensure that the LDF City Centre Action Plan can be progressed to its next stage of development as highlighted in the Council’s Local Development Scheme.