Plans for 280 homes in Huntington are set to go before councillors amid concerns that match day traffic to and from York’s Community Stadium could get worse.
Barratt David Wilson’s plans would see a mix of one to four-bedroom homes built off New Lane, east of the Community Stadium.
The developer stated they would see homes built in a highly sustainable location with access to local retail and leisure facilities.
But objectors have claimed traffic from football and rugby matches is already a problem with others raising concerns that the development could worsen flooding in the neighbouring Huntington Cemetery.
One said: “New Lane already has extremely high volumes of traffic, especially on match days at the stadium.
“It is going to be absolutely catastrophic with hundreds of more cars passing through. All the roads around here are diabolical anyway with the amount of potholes we have, again only to be made worse by more traffic.”
Another said: “We have experienced traffic congestion even for short trips home from the city centre in recent years.
“As parents of two schoolchildren who cycle to their schools in Huntington, we are particularly alarmed by the potential dangers posed by increased traffic to cyclists and pedestrians.”
It comes as the application for the homes is set to go before York council’s planning committee A next Thursday (5 September).
Outline plans were approved following a successful appeal in 2023, granting approval to the development in principle.
The detailed plans set to go before councillors would see 22 one-bed, 102 two-bed, 106 three-bed and 50 four-bed homes built on a site of around 11.6ha.
A total of 30 per cent of the homes would be set aside for sale as affordable housing.
Flooding problem
Public space is set to be created around an old oak tree at the centre of the site and open areas separating new homes from the cemetery and Huntington Grange.
New routes for dog-walking are also set to be included to avoid more people using the nearby Strensall Common which is classed as a special area of conservation.
The developers will also be barred from building over the site of a Roman camp to the east.
It added future residents would be within walking distance of a bus stop serviced by Route 9 providing regular public transport in and out of York.
They stated: “The site is situated within a sustainable location within easy walking distance of public transport and other neighbourhood facilities including a doctor’s surgery, post office, recreational facilities, leisure centre, a bank and dentist.
“The site is also located within walking distance of a number of employment and shopping facilities located at Monk’s Cross retail park.”
Council planning officers have recommended that the plans be approved and highways officers have not objected to them.
But more than 50 objections have been lodged against the plans including over the amount of proposed affordable housing, the impact on wildlife and how the new homes will block the light of existing houses.
Objections also include concerns over the effect of the development on traffic travelling to and from York Community Stadium.
Huntington and New Earswick ward’s Cllr Keith Orrell said in his objection that the development had been opposed by the overwhelming majority of residents before its approval on appeal.
He added measures needed to be taken to protect Huntington Cemetery from flooding.
The Liberal Democrat councillor said: “Huntington Cemetery has continual problems with flooding requiring the constant expensive use of a pump.
“The development should be required to restrict the water that drains into the cemetery so that these flooding problems are not made worse.”