‘After the floods, we must rethink Fulford houses plan’

The Fulford floods cast fresh doubt on York’s biggest proposed housing development, argues ward councillor Keith Aspden

 
Persimmon Homes and Hogg the Builder have recently submitted changes to their most recent planning application for the 700-home Germany Beck development in Fulford, which was originally given outline planning permission after a lengthy public inquiry in 2007.

Part of the planned development is on a flood plain and recently the A19/Selby Road, Main Street and wider Fordlands Road area – from where the site is accessed – were blocked for three days due to flooding.

Changes in planning guidance for councils state that: “Inappropriate development in areas at risk of flooding should be avoided by directing development away from areas at highest risk, but where development is necessary, making it safe without increasing flood risk elsewhere”.

So I am arguing that the development should be re-analysed in the light of this guidance and the latest flood.

The scene last week of developer’s boards on the Germany Beck site submerged in flood water really calls into question whether this proposed development meets the new planning guidelines and whether building there is appropriate.

Residents will be concerned to see the developers progressing with their plans after this major flooding. Throughout the process local people have been raising concerns about the flooding implications, about building partly in a flood plain and how it will potentially affect other areas of Fulford. These concerns were thrown into a new light last week.

The developers, who are have recently submitted further changes to their plans, need to listen to these concerns and consult with the whole of Fulford.

I would urge residents who witnessed last week’s flooding or have other concerns about the development to respond to the latest changes by October 19. There have been a multitude of planning applications on this site and we need to make sure that local opinion is heard at every stage.

• The plans will be available for inspection at 9 St Leonard’s Place, York, between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday, or online at the council website here (reference number 12/00384/REMM).
• Residents can respond in writing by October 19 to Hannah Blackburn, or via email to [email protected].
• The new 2012 National Planning Policy Framework can be found here