Agenda item

Cllr Keith Aspden noted that there were many residents that wanted to ask questions, and that he would ensure that everybody got to ask the developers and the Council what they wanted in a timely manner.

 

Robin McGinn from Persimmon Homes showed a powerpoint presentation about Germany Beck and answered questions.  Sally Cawthorn also answered questions.

 

The following questions were asked:

 

Is there any point in complaining?

·        Sally Cawthorn responded that the council wanted to hear people’s views and they would be taken into account.

 

What is happening about the access road via Main Street?

·        Robin McGinn responded that the access route formed part of the outline application in 2007 and this could not be changed.

 

How is air quality to be maintained?

·        Sally Cawthorn responded that the council has responsibility for air quality; this does not currently form part of the reserved matters planning application.

 

Is a time extension likely, as the Fulford Parish Council will object in detail to this application?

·        Sally Cawthorn responded that she did not know if there was any leeway on the deadline of 5 March 2012 and suggested that any individuals seeking an extension should contact the  Development Management Team.

 

Can the number of houses in the application be changed?

·        Robin McGinn responded that the number agreed in the outline planning permission was  was “approximately 700 ”. 

 

Why has there not been more consultation on this development?

·        Robin McGinn responded that flyers had been distributed, posters put up and public meetings advertised in the press. The Parish Council had been informed, and consultation documents were available in the local library and at a local hotel.

 

·        Sally Cawthorn also  responded that CYC have followed its statutory duty in terms of consultation.

 

Will there be a consultation with residents of Low Moor Lane?

·        Robin McGinn responded that a Community Forum had been established and that this was  a mechanism to deal with resident comments and questions.

 

How will the schools cope with extra pupils?

·        Cllr Keith Aspden responded that the education community was looking at what plans needed to be put into place for local schools, but that much work still needed to be done. Although St. Oswald’s Primary had footings for an extension from when it was built, Fulford School was now starting to look at the plans, including any provision for a Community Sports Hall.

·        Sally Cawthorn also  informed the meeting that an education contribution as part of the legal agreement was required from the developer

 

What about flooding?  Where will flood water be sent?

·        Robin McGinn responded that flood attenuation works were planned, and that the three ponds within the Nature Park would absorb  the water.

 

Is the A19 going to be raised?

·        Robin McGinn responded that this was so, and Persimmon Homes would make a contribution towards this cost.

 

Will Persimmon Homes provide assurance that insurance premiums for existing householders would not rise due to the increased risk of flooding, as they have a moral duty to do?

·        Robin McGinn responded that Persimmon Homes had no influence over the premiums set  by  insurance companies.

 

The road onto the A19 – has this been decided?

·        Robin McGinn responded that the location was approved as part of the outline consent. The exact construction details need to be submitted and approved by CYC prior to works on site beginning.

 

The bus lane onto Low Moor Avenue – a brand new cycle track will cut across this?

·        Sally Cawthorn responded that she would inform the relevant officer , however  the resident  raising  the issue advised  she had already passed the information on to the relevant officer .

 

York Core Strategy flood maps show areas – why can we not comment on flooding?

·        Sally Cawthorne responded that although the matter of flooding was dealt with at the outline planning stage. if the  Development Management Officer, determined that additional information was required to update the Environmental Impact Assessment   then further comments could be submitted by residents.

 

What percentage of the cost of raising the road will be paid by Persimmon Homes?

·        Robin McGinn responded that his recollection of the contribution from Persimmon was in the amount of  £250,000. However a resident stated that their understanding was that the contribution had been agreed at  £136,000.

 

What will you do if you discover a site of archaeological interest on the site?

·        Robin McGinn responded that Persimmon  would address this eventuality should it arise based on  advice from the City of York  and from English Heritage.

 

Is English Heritage registering the site?  Would the planning application have been allowed if it had been registered earlier?

·        Robin McGinn responded that this depended on the particular issues and each case was considered separately.

 

Will flood water run off into existing properties?

·        Robin McGinn responded that this would not be the case.

 

Because Fulford is a Georgian village, and its  character will be unalterably changed by this development,  has every other possible site for development been investigated?

·        Sally Cawthorne responded that this site was a longstanding housing allocation, inherited from Selby and as it now had planning permission alternative site investigates were not required .

 

What proportion of the development will be affordable housing?

·        Sally Cawthorn responded that 35% would be affordable.

 

Who will carry out the Air Quality Survey?

·        Sally Cawthorne responded that air quality management was the responsibility of the Council and Robin McGinn added that if the Environmental Impact Assessment  needed updating on that aspect the work  would be commissioned by Persimmon Homes and carried out by independent consultants  to professional standards.

 

What does flood attenuation mean?

·        Robin McGinn responded that the flood water would run off into large pools in the Nature Area.

 

Cllr Keith Aspden agreed with residents that City of York Council Planning Department should have sent a formal notification to all households in Fulford ward, as the development affected all residents in the area in different ways. Cllr Aspden thanked Fulford Parish Council for their newsletter, which did go to all households with advice about the application. City of York Council stated that notification to all households was not a statutory requirement.

 

All the issues discussed tonight were raised at the initial planning application meeting.  Could you please explain which of our  comments could have an effect at this stage?

·        Sally Cawthorne responded that landscaping, the siting, layout and design of houses were open to discussion and covered examples of these.

 

Has Farmer Atkinson sold any more land for development?

·        Robin McGinn responded that he had not.

 

Why are more sustainable houses not being built?  What about the environmental impact of bringing building materials into the site?

·        Robin McGinn responded that the council would ultimately control what materials were used, but that Persimmon had not yet reached the point where the  issue needed consideration. .

 

If this development goes ahead, the view from our house will be blocked by a three-storey block of flats.  These are out of character for Fulford, where the only three storey buildings are on Main Street.

·        Robin McGinn responded that the master plan including these flats could not be changed.

 

Do these flats constitute the affordable housing?

·        Robin McGinn responded that this was not the case, the affordable housing would be scattered throughout the development.

 

Where are the details of the plans and technical schedule?

·        Cllr Keith Aspden responded that these were available on the Planning Portal (www.york.gov.uk/environment/Planning)

 

The sustainability  of these houses is set at Code 3,  which has been described as “excellent”.  However there are codes of 4, 5 and 6 that represent a much higher level of sustainability.  In a few years time all houses being built will have to reach Code 6.  Why are they not being built to a higher standard?

·        Robin McGinn responded that Persimmon Homes were required to build to Code 3 and that is what they would do.

 

Will the homes be suitable for the elderly?

·        Robin McGinn responded that all homes would be built according to “lifetime homes” standard, and that there would be bungalows in the development.

 

Will houses be built according to old building regulations?

·        Robin McGinn responded that they would be built according to the latest regulations.

 

If the building regulations have changed since the application was first made, why can we not question other matters concerning the development?

·        Sally Cawthorne responded that the Secretary of State allowed a five year time period for the reserved matters planning application to be submitted.

 

 

Cllr Keith Aspden noted that there were many residents that wanted to ask questions, and that he would ensure that everybody got to ask the developers and the Council what they wanted in a timely manner.

 

Robin McGinn from Persimmon Homes showed a powerpoint presentation about Germany Beck and answered questions.  Sally Cawthorn also answered questions.

 

The following questions were asked:

 

Is there any point in complaining?

·        Sally Cawthorn responded that the council wanted to hear people’s views and they would be taken into account.

 

What is happening about the access road via Main Street?

·        Robin McGinn responded that the access route formed part of the outline application in 2007 and this could not be changed.

 

How is air quality to be maintained?

·        Sally Cawthorn responded that the council has responsibility for air quality; this does not currently form part of the reserved matters planning application.

 

Is a time extension likely, as the Fulford Parish Council will object in detail to this application?

Sally Cawthorn responded that she did not know if there was any leeway on the deadline of 5 March 2012 and suggested that any individuals seeking an extension should contact the  Development Management Team.

 

Can the number of houses in the application be changed?

·        Robin McGinn responded that the number agreed in the outline planning permission was  was “approximately 700, ”. 

 

Why has there not been more consultation on this development?

·        Robin McGinn responded that flyers had been distributed, posters put up and public meetings advertised in the press. The Parish Council had been informed, and consultation documents were available in the local library and at a local hotel.

 

·        Sally Cawthorn also  responded that CYC have followed its statutory duty in terms of consultation.

 

Will there be a consultation with residents of Low Moor Lane?

·        Robin McGinn responded that a Community Forum had been established and that this was  a mechanism to deal with resident comments and questions.

 

How will the schools cope with extra pupils?

·        Cllr Keith Aspden responded that the education community was looking at what plans needed to be put into place for local schools, but that much work still needed to be done. Although St. Oswald’s Primary had footings for an extension from when it was built, Fulford School was now starting to look at the plans, including any provision for a Community Sports Hall.

·        Sally Cawthorn also  informed the meeting that an education contribution as part of the legal agreement was required from the developer

 

What about flooding?  Where will flood water be sent?

·        Robin McGinn responded that flood attenuation works were planned, and that the three ponds within the  Nature Park would absorb  the water.

 

Is the A19 going to be raised?

·        Robin McGinn responded that this was so, and Persimmon Homes would make a contribution towards this cost.

 

Will Persimmon Homes provide assurance that insurance premiums for existing householders would not rise due to the increased risk of flooding, as they have a moral duty to do?

·        Robin McGinn responded that Persimmon Homes had no influence over the  premiums setr by  insurance companies.

 

The road onto the A19 – has this been decided?

·        Robin McGinn responded that the location was approved as part of the outline consent. The exact construction details need to be submitted and approved by CYC prior to works on site beginning.

 

The bus lane onto Low Moor Avenue – a brand new cycle track will cut across this?

·        Sally Cawthorn responded that she would inform the relevant officer , however  the resident  raising  the issue advised  she had already passed the information on to the relevant officer .

 

York Core Strategy flood maps show areas – why can we not comment on flooding?

·        Sally Cawthorne responded that although the matter of flooding was dealt with at the outline planning stage. if the  Development Management Officer, determined that additional information was required to update the Environmental Impact Assessment   then further comments could be submitted by residents. .

 

What percentage of the cost of raising the road will be paid by Persimmon Homes?

·        Robin McGinn responded that his recollection of the contribution from Persimmon was in the amount of  £250,000. However a resident stated that their understanding was that the contribution had been agreed at  £136,000.

 

What will you do if you discover a site of archaeological interest on the site?

·        Robin McGinn responded that Persimmon  would address this eventuality should it arise based on  advice from the City of York  and from English Heritage  .

 

Is English Heritage registering the site?  Would the planning application have been allowed if it had been registered earlier?

·        Robin McGinn responded that this depended on the particular issues and each case was considered separately.

 

Will flood water run off into existing properties?

·        Robin McGinn responded that this would not be the case.

 

Because Fulford is  a Georgian village, it’s  character will be unalterably changed by this development,  has every other possible site for development been investigated?

·        Sally Cawthorne responded that this site was a longstanding housing allocation, inherited from Selby and as it now had planning permission alternative site investigates were not required .

 

What proportion of the development will be affordable housing?

·        Sally Cawthorn responded that 35% would be affordable.

 

Who will carry out the Air Quality Survey?

·        Sally Cawthorne responded that air quality management was the responsibility of the Council and Robin McGinn added that if the Environmental Impact Assessment  needed updating on that aspect the work  would be commissioned by Persimmon Homes and carried out by independent consultants  to professional standards.

 

What does flood attenuation mean?

·        Robin McGinn responded that the flood water would run off into large pools in the Nature Area.

 

Surely the council has a responsibility to leaflet the entire area concerning this development, not just the houses immediately adjacent to the proposed development?

·        Cllr Keith Aspden agreed with residents that City of York Council Planning Department should have sent a formal notification to all households in Fulford ward, as the development affected all residents in the area in different ways. Cllr Aspden thanked Fulford Parish Council for their newsletter, which did go to all households with advice about the application. City of York Council stated that notification to all households was not a statutory requirement.

 

 

All the issues discussed tonight were raised at the initial planning application meeting.  Could you please explain which of our  comments could have an effect at this stage?

·        Sally Cawthorne responded that landscaping, the siting, layout and design of houses were open to discussion and covered examples of these.

 

Has Farmer Atkinson sold any more land for development?

·        Robin McGinn responded that he had not.

 

Why are more sustainable houses not being built?  What about the environmental impact of bringing building materials into the site?

·        Robin McGinn responded that the council would ultimately control what materials were used, but that Persimmon had not yet reached the point where the  issue needed consideration. .

 

If this development goes ahead, the view from our house will be blocked by a three-storey block of flats.  These are out of character for Fulford, where the only three storey buildings are on Main Street.

·        Robin McGinn responded that the master plan including these flats could not be changed.

 

Do these flats constitute the affordable housing?

·        Robin McGinn responded that this was not the case, the affordable housing would be scattered throughout the development.

 

Where are the details of the plans and technical schedule?

·        Cllr Keith Aspden responded that these were available on the Planning Portal (www.york.gov.uk/environment/Planning)

 

The sustainability  of these houses is set at Code 3,  which has been described as “excellent”.  However there are codes of 4, 5 and 6 that represent a much higher level of sustainability. .  In a few years time all houses being built will have to reach Code 6.  Why are they not being built to a higher standard?

·        Robin McGinn responded that Persimmon Homes were required to build to Code 3 and that is what they would do.

 

Will the homes be suitable for the elderly?

·        Robin McGinn responded that all homes would be built according to “lifetime homes” standard, and that there would be bungalows in the development.

 

Will houses be built according to old building regulations?

·        Robin McGinn responded that they would be built according to the latest regulations.

 

If the building regulations have changed since the application was first made, why can we not question other matters concerning the development?

·        Sally Cawthorne responded that the Secretary of State allowed a five year time period for the reserved matters planning application to be submitted.