Councillor Raises Concerns As Fantasy World Planning Application Is Approved (York Liberal Democrats)

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

Councillor Raises Concerns As Fantasy World Planning Application Is Approved

January 9, 2012 2:33 PM

Fulford's Liberal Democrat Councillor Keith Aspden has said he still has concerns about plans to turn the Fantasy World shop in Fulford into an 8 bedroom student house, despite the plans being grated planning permission yesterday.

At the meeting of the Council's East Area Planning Committee yesterday five members of the committee voted for the application to be approved and five for it to be rejected. The application was only passed after the Committee Chair used their casting vote to break the tie.

Speaking at the planning meeting, Councillor Aspden said that while he was pleased that the owner of the property had listened to some of the concerns of local people and made changes to his plans, there will still significant worries about the impact of the development.

He said, He said, "The previous application for a 9 bedroom student house alongside a garage conversion was rejected, but these new plans for an 8 bedroom student house and garage conversion still represented a significant development and the concerns of local residents remained."

"The owner has engaged with Fulford Parish Council in a bid to overcome the concerns of local residents and it is a shame we haven't been able to find a solution that suits everyone."

Councillor Aspden said local residents had raised concerns, particularly related to poor access to the property and limited parking provision at the house and locally.

He said, "Access to the property is through a very narrow passageway, which is unsuitable for regular access by car and prevents access by emergency vehicles. The access simply isn't suitable for the likely traffic flow, it would be dangerous for pedestrians and drivers."

"There is also a significant lack of parking and amenity space for 8 bedrooms. For a property of multiple occupation there must be adequate off and on street parking, this is still not the case and it will therefore cause an adverse impact on neighbouring properties."

"The surrounding area on Main Street already has a number of large student houses, including both neighbouring properties. The Council will soon be deciding on a policy to limit the concentration of HMOs in certain areas and this is exactly the kind of situation that such a policy is designed to deal with."