York’s Local Plan set for Approval
York’s Liberal Democrat have welcomed news that York’s Local Plan is finally set for approval.
The Local Plan identifies areas of land that is to be used for employment purposes and for the construction of much-needed new homes. It also formalises York’s Green Belt. It is set to be presented to an extraordinary meeting of the City of York Council on Thursday 27th February following the receipt of the final report of the Planning Inspectorate.
The Inspectorate’s report concludes that “the City of York Local Plan provides an appropriate basis for the planning of the city and its hinterland, provided that some main modifications are made to it.”
The Local Plan was developed during the period when the Liberal Democrats were part of joint administrations running the council. The development and approval of the Local Plan in York will be historic given that York has not had an adopted development plan since 1954.
Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition Cllr Nigel Ayre said:
“The final acceptance of the Liberal Democrats’ Local Plan will come as a relief for communities across York. We will finally have a plan that will deliver the homes York needs whilst protecting our Green Belt and helping to deliver vital infrastructure.
“I encourage all councillors to vote to pass the Local Plan and then stick to it. On too many occasions since Labour have come into administration, we have seen applications approved for large scale developments on Green Belt land. This will result in development being foisted on communities without the necessary improvements to local infrastructure.
“We are also concerned about York Labour council bosses’ promise to “immediately review” the Local Plan upon adoption. Residents and developers need certainty about where additional housing is going so that everyone can get on and build the homes York needs. Any further delay to this certainty by reviewing the Local Plan will risk stifling that progress.”