Update on Moor Lane / Askham Bog planning application
September 5, 2019
Further to the unanimous rejection of this planning application by the Planning Committee at City of York Council in July, Julian is very concerned by the news the developer is appealing the decision, which will now go to a public inquiry starting on 12th November.
Julian said: “This news is a very disappointing, and I appreciate will be alarming to many in the local community. It is especially concerning given the clear and decisive rejection of the proposed development, both by local residents and the Council acting as local planning authority.
Nearly 8000 individual objections were submitted to York’s Planning Committee, and the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust have done a great job in raising awareness locally of the damage these proposals could do to the unique ecology of the adjacent nature reserve with the ‘Save Askham Bog’ campaign.
Given the huge effort made by the local community to resist this controversial development, which we thought had paid off with the Planning Committee’s emphatic decision to reject, it is very sad to see this called into question once again.
Local residents can be reassured that I will robustly support the community in its continued opposition to this inappropriate Greenbelt development that risks York’s natural heritage. I have been clear from the beginning that an additional 500 houses in this area are not sustainable, will place unacceptable pressure on local amenities and infrastructure (like the busy Moor Lane/Tesco roundabout), subjects Woodthorpe to sprawl, and risks the future of Askham Bog and its amazing wildlife.
Please be reassured that I will continue to keep a close watch on developments as arrangements are made for the public inquiry. I will also continue to work closely with the Council on this, and am already in contact again with the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust too coordinate our efforts against this scheme.
I would welcome any comments, suggestions or other feedback from residents about how I should proceed on this, and any assistance I can lend to the local community in ensuring the will of local people prevails in the coming inquiry.”
