Agenda item

In March this year, Members agreed that the planning framework for York Northwest would be provided by policies within the Core Strategy and Supplementary Planning Documents (SPD’s) for each of the two strategic sites within the area. This report outlines the strategic policy direction and evidence work on overarching York Northwest (YNW) issues in relation to the Core Strategy

Consideration was given to a report, which outlined the strategic policy direction and evidence work on overarching York Northwest (YNW) issues in relation to the Core Strategy and a draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for the former British Sugar site.  The background work leading to the development of the draft Core Strategy policy  together with updates on the position of the proposed York Northwest Urban Eco Settlement and York Central were also provided.

Members were reminded that the planning approach for York Northwest agreed earlier in March, comprised of four key areas of work:

York Northwest Evidence Base work.

York Northwest Section of the submission draft Core Strategy.

The British Sugar Draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) for York Central.

The Chair confirmed that, at this stage, Members were only being requested to agree the approaches being made to each of the areas for public consultation and that no final decision on the draft Core Strategy or draft SPD was required at this time. In answer to requests Officers confirmed that hard copies of the various annexes would be forwarded to Members. They also agreed to take on board Members requests for future similar documents to be forwarded prior to the meeting and for hard copies of specific Appendices to be forwarded to Members that requested this. ^1.  

Consideration was then given to the individual documents and Members made a number of comments.

Appendix 1: Draft York Northwest Section of submission draft Core Strategy

Officers also circulated a Draft York Northwest Context Plan. This showed the proposed boundary of the York Northwest Corridor together with the main development sites (at the former British Sugar/Manor School and York Central) together with the existing City Centre boundary in the context of existing green infrastructure and developed areas. It was pointed out that the extended York Central site also included Holgate Park, Alliance House and the Thrall site and the former British Sugar site would include the former Manor school site.

Reference was made to the earlier plan showing the green travel linkages across the river. Officers confirmed that reference to green links and connections over the River Ouse would be included in the report.

Appendix 2: Transport Topic Paper

Page 18, Figures 9 and 10 - Concern that previous York Northwest documents had shown that Leeman Road residents would still be able to access the city centre via Marble Arch, this appeared to have disappeared from the proposals.

Page 19, Figure 10 - There appeared to be contradictions between open space and transport topic papers with regard to the proposed access to York Central from Water End (Millennium Green). Members felt that both documents should reflect the same proposals. 

Page 24, Figure 16 – Check siting of existing bus stops as there appeared to be omissions.

Page 38, Para.7.14 - Reference to the much larger area that would require servicing by public transport and the need for more frequent services to meet future demands.

Page 40, Para. 7.28 - The limiting of car usage/ownership would require a careful modal split to prevent similar traffic issues on estates e.g. Sovereign Park.

Appendix 3: Open Space Topic Paper

Some Members expressed concern that the Acomb Ward had the worst level of open space provision per head of population in the city. There was therefore an expectation that open space provision would be provided by the British Sugar development. It was also pointed out that any provision needed to be accessible and at reasonable cost.

Page 21, Para 4.18 – Members made reference to recent investment in facilities at Back Park although there was a need to rule this site out on capacity grounds.

Page 31, Figure 6 – Not all sports grounds had been listed eg old Manor School site and Civil Service Club on Boroughbridge Road. Concern that any open space provision should not be at a reduced level. Playing field provision should not be less.

Appendix 4: British Sugar Draft Supplementary Planning Document

Highlighted the opportunity to link the tram train halt/York Business Park/public transport spine and community hub.

Page 18, Para. 5.9 - Request for updated figures to reflect current house prices and income levels.

Page 19, Para. 5.12 - Current need/tenure split not reflected in the affordable housing figures.

Page 25, Para. 5.33 - Potential benefits of co-locating education, community, sports and open space facilities.

Page 31, Para 6.4 - Delivery of social housing should aspire to reach a higher level Code for Sustainable Homes.

Appendix 6: Draft Consultation Plan

In answer to Members comments officers confirmed that they would examine staffing levels during the consultation period and staff availability to answer any queries or to provide background information from residents.

Need for the inclusion of Holgate Ward in any consultation communication and feedback including Ward Committees.

Following further discussion it was

RESOLVED:   i) That the draft York Northwest section of the emerging submission draft of the Core Strategy, as set out in Appendix 1 to the report was noted subject to note being taken of Members comments as set out above.

 ii) That the York Northwest evidence base work on Transport and Open Space Topic Papers as set out at Appendix 2 and Appendix 3 of the report was received and noted.

iii)That the British Sugar draft Supplementary Planning Document attached as Appendix 4 of the report (to be the subject of public consultation if agreed by Executive) was received and noted.

iv)That the preparation and content of the Sustainability Appraisal Report for the British Sugar Draft Supplementary Planning Document, as set out at Appendix 5, was received and noted.

v)That the draft Consultation Plan for consultation on the British Sugar Draft Supplementary Planning Document outlined in Appendix 6 of the report was received and noted.

vi)That the process and rationale outlined in the report for the policy approach for York Northwest within the emerging Core Strategy, including the Option Appraisal detailed in Appendix 7 and the Summary of Land Uses for York Northwest set out in Appendix 8 of the report was received and noted. ^2.

REASON:      i) To give the context of York Northwest within the emerging Core Strategy document and for the British Sugar draft Supplementary Planning Document.

ii)To provide the necessary evidence base for the submission Core Strategy document.

iii)To ensure Members comments are included in the documents for public consultation.

iv)To give Members an understanding of the context of the document.

v)To give Members an understanding of the content of the document and to suggest any changes to this.

vi)To ensure a robust evidence base for the Supplementary Planning Document.