Agenda item

At this point in the meeting members of the public who have registered to speak can do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00pm on Wednesday 24 September 2014.  Members of the public can speak on agenda items or matters within the remit of the committee.

To register to speak please contact the Democracy Officer for the meeting, on the details at the foot of the agenda.

Filming, Recording or Webcasting Meetings

“Please note this meeting will be filmed and webcast and that includes any registered public speakers, who have given their permission.  This broadcast can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts.

Residents are welcome to photograph, film or record Councillors and Officers at all meetings open to the press and public. This includes the use of social media reporting, i.e. tweeting.  Anyone wishing to film, record or take photos at any public meeting should contact the Democracy Officer (whose contact details are at the foot of this agenda) in advance of the meeting.

The Council’s protocol on Webcasting, Filming & Recording of Meetings ensures that these practices are carried out in a manner both respectful to the conduct of the meeting and all those present.  It can be viewed at http://www.york.gov.uk/downloads/download/3130/protocol_for_webcasting_filming_and_recording_of_council_meetings

It was reported that there had been six registrations to speak at the meeting under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme, and that one Member of Council had also requested to speak in relation to the City of York Local Plan Publication Draft.

Martin Hawthorne, spoke on behalf of the Tees Valley Housing Association, in relation to housing site SF14 at Earswick. He referred to the missed opportunity if part of this site was not allocated for housing, particularly as the Trust considered that any transport issues could be mitigated with infrastructure improvements and that the site could be proven to be viable and deliverable. He asked for the site not to be allocated as safeguarded and for further discussions with Members and Officers to enable the site to be included in the Plan which would include 50% affordable housing.

Colin Valentine spoke on behalf of Rufforth with Knapton Parish Council regarding the late inclusion in the Plan of GT1: Land at Moor Lane for a Gypsy and Traveller site. He stated that the site failed to meet the Council’s own selection criteria for Gypsy and Traveller sites, particularly as it was adjacent to the landfill site at Harewood Whin. He also referred to the Council’s duty of care to future residents and of the need to protect the green corridor in the Green Belt.

Cllr Steward spoke on behalf of Helen Butterworth from Rufforth with Knapton Parish Council in relation toSite RE3:772 allocated for a Solar Farm at Knapton Moor. The Parish Council felt that this was an inappropriate use in the Green Belt and in the green corridor in to York mentioned by the earlier speaker. They requested the removal of this site from the Local Plan.

Alan Charlesworth, spoke on behalf of the Earswick Action Group, who questioned the robustness of the Local Plan, in its present form. He made reference to the 14,000 comments received and to the myth relating to land referenced as ‘safeguarded’ which appeared to give it protection. He also raised concerns regarding the impact of proposed developments on the infrastructure, pointing out that special circumstances needed to be proven for development in the Green Belt. He confirmed that whilst Earswick residents had no objections to housing development it was the scale proposed that was of concern which would affect the character of the village. An invitation was made to Cabinet Members and Officers to attend a public meeting in the village on Monday 13 October.

Jennifer Hubbard, spoke on behalf of a number local developers, confirming the need for a sound Local Plan which required the inclusion of deliverable small and medium housing sites. She referred to the timescales involved in both the planning and building of properties, particularly in relation to larger sites and to the risks if the authority were unable to deliver the proposed housing numbers. She also made a request to reinstate land north of Escrick in the Plan, which already had the support of Officers, the Parish Council and Selby District Council.

Eamonn Keogh spoke on behalf of the York Property Forum and the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, confirming that it was imperative that a Local Plan was adopted. He referred to the affects on the economy and growth of the city if a Plan was not adopted. The initial view was that the Plan’s housing numbers were correct and employers welcomed the proposals which they felt would retain the unique and special character of the city. He requested Members to support the Plan and proceed to public consultation in order to agree a Local Plan that the city both needed and deserved.

Cllr Healey spoke of the process to get the Local Plan out for public consultation. Highlighting the quantity of documentation and short timescales involved which allowed Members little opportunity to digest information which related to such an important document for the city. To ensure the robustness of the Plan required the backing of the city which he felt this Plan did not have and he requested further discussions in order to gain consensus.