Agenda item

At this point in the meeting, members of the public who have registered their wish to speak, regarding an item on the agenda or an issue within the remit of the Working Group, may do so.  The deadline for registering is 5.00 pm on Friday 7 July 2017.

Filming or Recording Meetings

Please note this meeting may be filmed and webcast, or recorded, and that includes any registered speakers who have given permission. The broadcast can be viewed at: http://www.york.gov.uk/webcasts or, if recorded, this will be uploaded onto the Council’s website following the meeting.

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 Officers (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 seven registrations to speak on item 4, City of York Local Plan, under the Council’s Public Participation Scheme.

Jane Wright from the Rufforth Neighbourhood Plan Group

spoke on the emerging Rufforth with Knapton Neighbourhood Plan. She stated that the Plan reflected the views of their whole community and it recommended a maximum of 40 extra houses in the Local Plan. She expressed their concerns over the additional housing allocation which would increase the size of Rufforth by 50%, without services and infrastructure to support this development. These sites had been rejected by the Group and she asked the Council to reconsider the proposals and to respect the power granted to Parishes in the Localism Act. 

Edie Jones, Chair of Upper and Nether Poppleton Neighbourhood Group, spoke on Brownfield development. She expressed the Groups views on why the use of Green Belt for housing and employment would encourage Brownfield sites to become less appealing to developers. She expressed concerns on four sites, the former Civil Service ground, the Poppleton Garden Centre and the two areas around Northminster Business Park and suggested development on Brownfield Sites should be a priority.

Richard France, the Managing Director of the Oakgate Group, spoke on the employment land element, in particular land east to the Designer Outlet. He confirmed that the 40 acre site had substantial infrastructure so could accommodate further development and that the land they also owned around the A64/A19 junctions could also be upgraded as necessary. He felt the site would complement city centre developments and could be deliverable very quickly and early in the Plan period.  He confirmed their proposal was fully supported by a range of businesses and he requested the Committee consider this site as it could offer a sustainable employment location that would have little or no visual impact.

Derek Bowen, the Chair of Copmanthorpe Neighbourhood Plan Group, confirmed their Plan was prepared in accordance with the rights granted to ensure that any development was inline with the wishes of a local community and reflected the opinions of residents, contained policies protecting the Green Belt and identified two sites for housing development. He asked Members not to amend present provisions in the draft Local Plan, which would directly affect the Copmanthorpe Neighbourhood Plan.

Dave Merrett spoke on social and overall housing provision and transport implications. He expressed his disappointment on proposals to address the affordable housing crisis in the city. He confirmed that the strategic Housing Market Assessment report made very clear the scale of this issue and he highlighted the problems with house prices and private sector rents in York. He felt the overall housing numbers should be increased, to ensure sufficient affordable housing was available. He raised concerns with the traffic congestion and the transport infrastructure.

Tony Fisher, spoke on behalf of Strensall Parish Council, regarding allocation of the barracks and land around Strensall. He confirmed the Parish Council felt the MOD site should be developed as soon as practically possible and not left to deteriorate. They hoped the development of 623 dwellings would obliterate the need to develop Green Belt within the Parish. The Parish welcomed the proposal for a new primary school on the MOD site, development of much needed social housing and Towthorpe Lines for business and employment opportunities. He also addressed concerns to some wording in Annex 3 Table 1, the transport infrastructure and the sewage flow at site ST9.

Ronald Clayton, Chair of Heworth Without Parish Council, spoke on two points.  He raised issues regarding developing on Green Belt and the strategy of the Local Plan. He requested the Council consider the number of houses needed before they urbanised areas of York.