Agenda item

Petitions

Meeting of Council, Thursday, 10 October 2013 6.30 pm (Item 35.)

i) To debate the following petitions, signed by over 1,000 people, in relation to the Council’s Local Plan, in accordance with the Council’s petitions scheme:

· Cllr Ann Reid – Council Meeting 18^th July 2013

2302 signatures

“I/We the undersigned oppose Labour’s plans to use Green Belt land across York to build 22,000 houses over the next 15 years.”

· Dunnington Parish Council

1323 signatures

“We the undersigned petition the City of York Council to stop the building of a permanent 15 pitch Gypsy/Traveller site using land at Common Lane and Hassacarr Lane in Dunnington, York. It’s located on Green Belt land, adjacent to Hassacarr Nature Reserve and will have a major impact on the people living in the surrounding area, homes and businesses. There are plenty of areas around York that would be suitable for these traveller locations that would not affect local residences and businesses. City of York Council needs to support our petition and keep residents happy by providing areas and communities that people feel content to live in.”

· Cllr Ann Reid - Council Meeting 18^th July 2013

1084 signatures

“We the undersigned object to the proposals in the council’s Local Plan for the development of land lying between Wetherby Road and Knapton village. We believe that the site should continue to be included in the Green Belt as it protects the rural setting of the western approach to the city which would otherwise begin to merge with the outer ring road.”

· Gypsy & Travellers site, Malton Road, Huntington

1036 signatures

“We the undersigned petition the council to stop the building of a permanent site for 20 pitches (20-80 caravans) on a 3 acre plus site, Huntington York. The placement of this site right at the heart of an established community, locating it immediately adjacent to homes, a nature reserve and businesses would not be appropriate in this locality, by virtue of its potential impact on Huntington & Heworth residents. We believe it is hard to conceive of a more inappropriate proposal.”

· Say No to the proposed plans of a 16 acre permanent travellers site in Knapton York

1204 signatures (closed 1^st September 2013)

“We the undersigned petition the council to stop the building of a permanent site for 20 static caravans on a 16 acre site, Knapton York. The council of York want to build it for 'show men ' as a permanent home. The site is bigger than the whole village of knapton put together. Its green belt land and the owner hasn’t even been approached about the proposal. This will have a major impact on the people living in the surrounding area, homes and businesses. There are plenty of areas around York that would be suitable for these traveller locations that would not affect local residences and businesses in the York area. York Council needs to support our decisions and keep residents happy by providing areas and communities that people feel content to live in.”

· Protect York’s Greenbelt

1232 signatures on 2^nd October 2013 (closes 31^st December 2013)

“We the undersigned petition the council to amend the draft Local Plan and save a number of traditionally Greenbelt-protected sites from being developed upon. The sites which have been earmarked by the Council for large scale housing development include Holme Hill and various plots of land at Clifton Moor, Osbaldwick, Copmanthorpe, Woodthorpe, Haxby and Monks Cross. We want to see the character of our villages surrounding York protected. We acknowledge the need for more housing in York, but believe the figure of 22,000 homes to be too high and the loss of over 1000 acres of Greenbelt land to be unsustainable. We believe it is absolutely vital that Brownfield sites are used first.”

[A background report is attached to the agenda]

ii) To consider any petitions received from Members in accordance with Standing Order No.7. To date, notice has been received of one petition to be presented by:

· Cllr Ann Reid on behalf of residents opposed to the proposed cuts in winter maintenance services and calling on City of York Council to retain existing salt bin and gritting provision in the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward.

Minutes:

A. Petitions in relation to the Council’s Local Plan

In view of the number of signatories to the following petitions relating to the Council’s Local Plan and in accordance with the Council’s current petitions scheme, these were discussed by Members. Consideration was also given to a background report from the Assistant Director for City and Environmental Services:

· Presented by Cllr Ann Reid – Council Meeting, 18^th July 2013

2302 signatures

“I/We the undersigned oppose Labour’s plans to use Green Belt land across York to build 22,000 houses over the next 15 years.”

· Dunnington Parish Council

1323 signatures

· Presented by Cllr Ann Reid - Council Meeting, 18^th July 2013

1084 signatures

· Gypsy & Travellers Site, Malton Road, Huntington

1036 signatures

· Say No to the proposed plans for a 16 acre permanent travellers site in Knapton York

1204 signatures (closed 1^st September 2013)

· Protect York’s Greenbelt

1232 signatures on 2^nd October 2013 (closes 31^st December 2013)

Following the debate the Lord Mayor confirmed that the petitions and debate had been noted and would be taken into account as the Council progressed consideration of its Local Plan.

B. Petitions Presented Under Standing Order 7

Under Standing Order 7, petitions were presented by:

(i) Cllr Reid, signed by 179 residents opposing the proposed cuts in winter maintenance services and calling for the retention of the existing salt bin and gritting provision in the Dringhouses and Woodthorpe ward. ^1.

(ii) Cllr D’Agorne, signed by 312 residents requesting improvements in the frequency, availability and promotion of evening bus services in York. ^2.

Resolved: That the above petitions be referred to the Cabinet or appropriate Committee.

Supporting documents:

Petitions, item 35. PDF 106 KB