Housing target to face public scrutiny

RESIDENTS IN York are being given the chance to have their say on the city council’s proposal to revise down the number of new homes that should be built in the city over the next 15 years.

As part of mooted amendments to York’s Local Plan, some 550 fewer homes would be built.

A six-week public consultation starts on Monday, giving residents, businesses and others the chance to comment on additional evidence and proposed modifications to the plan.

Planning inspectors will then examine the plan at public hearing sessions later this year.

The consultation will ask for comments on the removal of housing site allocations in Strensall, at Queen Elizabeth Barracks and land at Howard Road; the revision of the city’s ‘Objectively Assessed Housing Need’ from 867 to 790 dwellings in York each year for the duration of the plan, and amendments to the Green Belt boundary.

The removal of site allocations follows a survey commissioned by the council which found there would be significant effects on the integrity of the Strensall Common, a protected site, if the proposed housing sites adjacent to the common remains in the Local Plan.

Coun Nigel Ayre, the council’s executive member for finance and performance with responsibility for the Local Plan, said: “We encourage everyone to comment and feedback on the additional evidence and modifications of the Local Plan during this six-week period.”

The consultation will run on the council’s website until midnight on Monday, July 22.