Developers said to be enjoying a ‘free-for-all’ in York due to a lack of planning enforcement

Labour has accused the City of York’s ruling administration of overseeing a “crumbling” Local Plan and failing to invest in the city’s planning department.

Labour’s deputy leader Councillor Claire Douglas questioned whether the administration “preferred the current free-for-all where developers can submit applications for anywhere in the city boundary they choose” in a meeting about planning enforcement yesterday (Tuesday).

Andrew Waller, executive member for economy and strategic planning, said the administration was “committed to delivery of a Local Plan”.

Labour’s deputy leader Councillor Claire Douglas questioned whether the administration “preferred the current free-for-all where developers can submit applications for anywhere in the city boundary they choose” in a meeting about planning enforcement yesterday (Tuesday).

Andrew Waller, executive member for economy and strategic planning, said the administration was “committed to delivery of a Local Plan”.

‘Grave concerns’

York’s draft Local Plan, submitted in May 2018, sets out where and what types of development can take place in the city for the next 20 years.

The proposals have been hit by delays, with the Government intervening and warning the city council over its “persistent failures” to introduce a long-term vision for development.

Citing a backlog in planning enforcement cases, Coun Douglas said she had “grave concerns” about the department’s workload and its ability to see the Local Plan through.

She told the meeting: “There is a strong feeling across the city from many different directions that the Lib Dem / Green administration really hasn’t got a handle on this – planning enforcement is flagging, building control is flagging and the Local Plan is crumbling. 

“Senior officer expertise in the Local Plan team will be non-existent towards the end of the year. The council will enter the next round of public hearings in November or December without any senior staff to represent the Local Plan. 

“How on earth does the administration think the Local Plan submitted to the government over three years ago is going to get through this process and adopted without the appropriate investment in staff? 

“It calls into question whether the Lib Dem / Green administration actually want a Local Plan for York.”

Coun Douglas called for the administration to invest in the planning department, adding: “Under the current trajectory, I just don’t see how we’re going to get the vital Local Plan the city so desperately needs.”

Coun Waller replied:  “I do find it interesting to be challenged on whether this administration would like there to be a Local Plan.

“As leader I got ready a Local Plan in 2011 which the Labour group trashed – therefore we would have had a Local Plan were it not for that action.

“Be under no doubt – this administration is committed to delivery of a Local Plan and it has got further than any Local Plan in the last 50 years.”