Planners have not visited the site of one of York’s most controversial proposed developments – so a campaigner decided to help them out.
Henry Boot Developments and Stonebridge Homes want to build two four-storey blocks of flats in front of the history former Terry’s chocolate factory.
It is a plan that has attracted nearly 300 objections, including from bodies like York Racecourse and the National Trust.
However, members of the planning committee which will decide the application today (Thursday) have not done a site visit to the location off Bishopthorpe Road, citing Covid restrictions.
So campaigner Johnny Hayes decided to help them out – with the aid of some helium filled balloons.
He took the pictures above, showing the balloons in front of Terry’s – at the height the new blocks – contains 85 flats – will reach.
‘I hope they reject it’
Johnny wrote: “I went to the former Terry’s Chocolate site today to make a bit of a point.
“The City of York Council planning committee are deciding on whether two large blocks of flats should be built south of the ‘residence’.
“I took four balloons or 13 m 89 cm high. The point is that the height of the highest balloon is the height of the proposed flats (45ft 1in imperial for people like me).
“The committee have not had an actual site visit but just a virtual site visit from their laptops because of Covid 19 (I do not understand! ). So I thought I would send a couple of images to help.
“The applicants Henry Boot and pals are wanting to build two four-storeys tall blocks of flats which will have a huge impact on the views of this wonderful building.
“They hope to build 85 flats and seven town houses. I really hope the councillors reject it.”
The planning meeting which will decide the application for new flats in front of Terry’s takes place on Thursday, 8 October at 4.30pm. You can watch it live on the City of York Council YouTube page