As recently reported, Mulgrave Properties has applied to build the 1-4-bed homes (30% affordable) on a 2.7ha Green Belt site north of North Lane, currently used as two small paddocks and a garden.
Wheldrake ward councillor Christian Vassie says Wheldrake, which has a population of around 2,000 has only recently received approval for 150 homes at another site, yet it has “no primary care services… No doctor, no dentist, no pharmacy.”
Bus services are infrequent, with no service on a Sunday and there no safe cycle route to York despite campaigns from residents for decades.
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Cllr Vassie says people accept a need for new homes but the approved scheme and the proposed scheme would increase Wheldrake’s population by over a third.
A report recently said a cycle route could be provided for £280,000 and without it, the extra homes would only generate more traffic, contrary to council climate change policy to reduce co2 emissions.
Only when better bus services, a cycle route, and a primary care centre are provided will it “make sense” to allow new housing “but not before.”
(Image: pic supplied)
The Liberal Democrat councillor said “the ball is firmly in Labour’s court”, noting the party now controls central government, the city council and the York and North Yorkshire mayoralty.
Previous attempts for a cycle route had failed because political power was split between various parties.
With political power now in the hands of one party, Cllr Vassie said residents would want to see this “delivers leadership and leadership and environmentally sustainable change.”
He added: “Shifting new housebuilding to the Green Belt without sorting the infrastructure will not work.”
City of York Council Executive Member for Planning, Cllr Michael Pavlovic says the planning process is rightly independent of political parties. The site does not feature in the draft Local Plan, agreeing with Cllr Vassie it would need to show “very special circumstances” to be approved.
Cllr Pavlovic recalled plans for a cycle path from Wheldrake to Heslington did not progress by the former Liberal Democrat-Green Party run council, of which Cllr Vassie was part, perhaps due to it having other properties.
He said: “We agree with enabling alternative, more sustainable forms of travel and are in the process of drawing up a strategic active travel network. Once agreed, this network map will make a much stronger case for active travel investment arising from major developments – like the planned 3300 home development between Wheldrake and Heslington contained in the draft Local Plan”.
Ian Hessay, Managing Director of Mulgrave Properties, told the Press his 64-home scheme would provide much-needed housing for the York area, including affordable homes. York only has a 2.5 year housing supply compared with a five-year recommendation and now central government has imposed a 22% increase in housing numbers across York, which is not reflected in the current draft plan.
He also said: “The site is bordered on three sides by existing homes and has a strong boundary on the fourth, meaning it cannot serve a Green Belt purpose and has the right attributes to make a successful new community that supports the housing needs of varied demographics.”
