Agenda item

Proposed roundabout and associated measures to replace three existing junctions on the A1237 at Askham Lane, Askham Bryan Lane and Moor Lane including new link roads, drainage, signing, lighting and landscaping

(Rural West York Ward)   

Members considered a General Regulations (Reg3) application, submitted by City of York Council, for a proposed roundabout and associated measures to replace three existing junctions on the A1237 at Askham Lane, Askham Bryan Lane and Moor Lane including new link roads, drainage, signing, lighting and landscaping.

Officers updated that they had received no objections from Askham Bryan Parish Council and Askham Lane Nurseries to the revised layout plan, which was available for Members to view at the meeting.

Representations were received from Dr Hartley in objection to the application, as a resident of Askham Bryan and chair of the Askham Bryan play area. He stated that he accepted the case for a roundabout for Moor Lane/Askham Lane but not for the inclusion of Askham Bryan Lane, and would prefer a 4 arm roundabout maintaining Askham Bryan Lane junction but with no right turn. He also raised issues regarding access, safety, easing congestion and costs.

Representations were received from Stephen Flatley, as a resident on the Woodthorpe side of the roundabout. He stated that the rural aspect of the area would be lost and he had concerns regarding a possible future dual carriageway, and also the light impact.

Dave Webster spoke in support of the application on behalf of the applicant. He stated that the proposed roundabout would replace three existing junctions, and consultation had taken place with the residents of Woodthorpe, Askham Bryan, and Westfield. He stated that a detailed transport assessment had been carried out, and the modelling matches with the consultation results. The scheme includes cyclist and pedestrian facilities and extensive landscaping.

Mr Carbert spoke on behalf of Askham Bryan Parish Council. He stated that the Parish Council would like access only signs at the junction of Askham Richard Road and the A64 roundabout, that the weight limit on Askham Fields Lane be reinstated, that the footpath/cycle lane be designed to prevent use by motorcycles/scooters. He requested that bunding be increased and that lighting be low in height and inward facing.

Cllr Hopton spoke as a Ward Councillor. She stated that the proposal compromised residential amenity and would increase the traffic through the village. She stated that the proposal would not benefit the Askham Bryan lane junction, nor the residents of Askham Bryan and would cause additional problems for this area. She stated that the audit consultants views were that the proposal could increase the number of accidents. She supported a 4 armed roundabout. If the application was approved she requested that additional conditions be added regarding a weight limit through Askham Bryan village and village access only, and a foot/cyclepath on Askham Bryan Lane.

Cllr Macdonald spoke as a Ward Councillor. He stated that he supported the comments of the Parish Council regarding the height of the bunding. He stated that signing should be consistent, and that if Members were minded to approve the application a condition should be included for village access only for Askham Bryan. He queried if there would be additional traffic, and raised issues regarding lighting and requested a condition regarding Dark Sky if Members were minded to approve the application.

Members discussed the size of the proposed roundabout, and were informed that it was 80m in diameter. They also discussed the available accident statistics for the area of road. Landscaping schemes and hedging was raised, and Members were informed that approximately 1000m of hedging would be affected but the amount of new hedging exceeds this figure.

Officers updated that conditions could not be imposed regarding a weight limit or access only restrictions as these were not planning issues.

A motion to refuse the application on highway, environmental and cycling grounds was proposed by Cllr Horton and seconded by Cllr Smallwood. The motion was put to the vote and the motion was lost.

RESOLVED:             That the application be approved subject to the conditions outlined in the report.

REASON:                  The proposal, subject to the conditions listed above, would not cause undue harm to interests of acknowledged importance, with particular reference to visual/residential amenity, area wide traffic levels or the open character of the designated Green Belt. As such the proposal complies with PPS1 and PPG2 and Policies T18, GB1 and GP1 of the City of York Development Control Draft Local Plan.