Agenda item

Barry Potter of the York Natural Environment Trust (YNET) will be making a presentation to residents on the Mayfields Nature Reserve.

At this point in the meeting members of the public can raise any issues or concerns they may have in respect of the ward or the earlier presentation.

Mayfields Nature Reserve

Barry Potter, Chair of York Natural Environment Trust (YNET) gave a presentation, with the aid of slides showing aspects of the Mayfields Nature Reserve.

He provided a short history of the site and of YNET a registered charity which had been set up to enhance York’s natural environment and ran a number of nature reserves in the York area. The following points were made in respect of the site:

·        It had been understood that the title agreement for the land would pass to YNET following completion of the housing on the adjacent site as had land at Danesmead

·        In the early stages, following erection of properties on ‘The Chase’, YNET had undertaken work on the site including remedial work on trees, removal of Japanese knotweed and the preparation of a 5 year management plan. The developers had been provided with plans and specifications to reclaim and restore the site which they had done and he paid tribute to the work they had undertaken.

·        YNET had continued to operate on the site however the sign off of the land had not taken place despite the S106 agreement. This had limited their works as there had been no agreement with the City of York Council.

·        YNET had received a commuted sum in anticipation of future ownership of the land and had a number of willing and able volunteers.

·        YNET were continuing the process of maintaining the landscaping, with work now being confined to the pond area, with general tidying, replacement of the fishing platform and maintenance of the fishery.

·        Confirmation that the recent packing down of shrubbery in the meadow area had not been undertaken by YNET.

·        It had been understood that the land would transfer in April 2011 to YNET. Since that time the City of York Council had set up a competition for the running of the site which YNET had not officially been made aware of until June 2011.

·        Reference to Natural England’s quote that urban dwellings should have ready and easy access to green space near to their homes which it was felt YNET had undertaken to provide for local residents for over 10 years at this site.

Residents were then given the opportunity to raise any points/questions in respect of the presentation.

Gordon Campbell-Thomas, spoke as a former member of YNET. He  understood that responsibility for the site would transfer to a specially formed group, to manage the area, with the group eventually taking over the upkeep of the land, similar to the St Nicholas Fields model. He expressed concern at the mismanagement of the site. He pointed out that YNET were an umbrella group whereas it had originally been envisaged that the site would transfer to a dedicated group. Concerns were also raised at the lack of wheelchair access to the site from Mayfield Grove.

Some residents questioned the reference to mismanagement of the site and lack of wheelchair access. Another resident, an experienced Tree Warden, expressed concern at the recent work undertaken on shrubbery at the end of Nelsons Lane.

Anne Leggett, Chair of the Chase Residents’ Association, confirmed that the Association had worked closely with the City of York Council in the tendering process to choose a suitable person/body to secure the suitable management of the site. In preparation for the site handover the Council had requested access for machinery to undertake on site works. Askham Bryan College had cut back the hedge on highway grounds however it was confirmed the area would naturally regenerate.

A resident expressed concerns at the overgrown nature of the Mayfield site, particularly the pond margins with no lifebelt provision as the footpath was used as a short cut for school children. Other residents also made reference to the wealth of experience from tonight’s speakers and local residents which should be harnessed to bring the beautiful site back into full use making it the heart of the community. 

The Chair of the Chase Residents’ Association confirmed their involvement in the tendering process for the site and pointed out that if successful in their bid they proposed to set up a charitable trust which would be open to everyone in the area with any interest in the site. It was not proposed to exclude any organisation or individual.

Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Planning Panel

Roger Jennings, spoke as Clerk of the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Planning Panel, a small group of local residents who met to discuss planning applications in the ward, and submitted their views/concerns to the council. It was reported that membership of the Panel required confirmation yearly and he asked members to confirm continuation of the existing Panel members for 2012/13:

Roger Jennings, Clerk

John Parkinson

Phil Fowler

Val Plitt

David Munley

Anne Gray

Ian Tomlinson

Peter Robinson

Margaret Silcock

RESOLVED:             That the above membership of the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe Planning Panel be confirmed for the 2012/13 municipal year.

REASON:             To ensure that the views of residents are considered by the Planning Authority when decisions are made on planning applications in the ward.

Have Your Say

Q                  A resident referred to the last Ward Committee meeting which had been attended by Peter Taylor from First Group York when a number of concerns had been raised regarding the No 12 service. Mr Taylor had confirmed that he would report these issues however since then there had been no improvement in services.

A                   Councillor Hodgson confirmed that he had pursued these issues with the Traffic Commissioner however this did involve a lengthy process. He confirmed that the local authority had little powers in this area. In answer to an additional question he confirmed that the Traffic Commissioners could fine or remove licences from bus companies who were not complying with their licences.

A                   Councillor Reid confirmed that local authorities had little control over bus services other than endeavouring to provide a service if a gap existed. Reference was made to the Quality Bus Partnership a body comprised of representatives of all the bus companies who regularly met both members and officers to discuss issues of concern.

Any problems encountered by residents in relation to bus services should be send to Andrew Bradley, City of York Council’s Sustainable Transport Operations Manager.

(Telephone: 01904 55 1404. Email: andrew.bradley@york.gov.uk.)