Keith Aspden Launches Petition For More Germany Beck Consultation (York Liberal Democrats)

York Liberal Democrats <info@yorklibdems.org.uk>

Keith Aspden Launches Petition For More Germany Beck Consultation

December 8, 2011 9:29 AM

Keith Aspden Germany Beck As anger grows in Fulford over the limited community consultation planned ahead of the submission of the latest planning application for the controversial Germany Beck housing development, local Liberal Democrat Councillor Keith Aspden has launched a petition calling for more engagement with local residents.

Persimmon Homes have scheduled one public exhibition of their plans for the site for this Friday (9th December), but residents were only given a weeks notice of the event and there are no plans for any further consultation at this stage of the application with all residents.

The developers have also said they have no plans to hold events for the wider public to explain to residents how their views have shaped the plans and why some of their comments have not been taken on board.

Councillor Aspden said it was important that time was taken to get the consultation right. He said. "These plans aren't just covering the minor details, they relate to access to the site, scale of the development, site layout and other issues that will affect the whole of Fulford, not just the immediate surrounding area."

"It is vital that the views of the local community are taken on board and I don't believe that one consultation event which residents were only told about a few days before is enough."

"I am also concerned that the closing date for comments following the public exhibition event is 30th December, which means those residents who were able to make it to the exhibition will have to ensure they get their comments in during the busy Christmas holiday period."

Councillor Aspden added, "I have been speaking to both City of York Council and Persimmon in an attempt to get more engagement with the community but hopefully this petition will help show the strength of feeling locally."

"The more responses we get from local residents, the stronger the case will be for more thorough consultation on these plans"

Residents can sign Councillor Aspden's petition by clicking here.