21st Apr 2008

South Bank flats plan "completely batty"

York Green Party objected to the planning application to demolish a former warehouse in South Bank, to build a block of flats.

The planning application aims to demolish the former "Knavesmire Glass" warehouse in South Bank Avenue, and replace it with a block of twelve single bedroom flats.

Micklegate Ward Green Party member Alan Swain commented, "this building has considerable historic interest and value. It was originally established around the turn of the century as a mission chapel for St Clement's Church on the South Bank, before St Chad's church was built. It's a valued part of the local history of this area."

The building has been proposed for the "local list of buildings of historic interest". This would allow buildings that do not qualify for statutory listing to be given some degree of protection against demolition or redevelopment proposals. The council has established policy to adopt the list, but has so far failed to do so. Green Parliamentary candidate for York Central, Andy Chase, commented: "It's absolutely vital that the council moves to adopt this list as soon as possible, before further buildings are threatened. Green councillors will continue to do everything possible to support this." Andy is also a long-serving member of the Micklegate Planning Panel, a non-political group of residents who comment on planning applications, and who have also objected to the plans.

The building is also home to a colony of bats, a protected species. Alan Swain said, "The developers have failed to demonstrate that the habitat of the bats will be maintained as part of the new development. They seem to have 'bats in the belfry' over this one!"

Greens would like to see the building constructively re-used as offices, a local facility (such as a dental surgery) or sensitively converted to housing. Plans are expected to go before the city's West and Central Planning Committee before the end of May.

If you wish to comment on this planning application, write to Clare Davies, Development Control Officer, City of York Planning Department, 9 St Leonard's Place, York YO1 7ET, or e-mail clare.davies@york.gov.uk, quoting reference number 08/00310/FULM. Please get your letters in as soon as possible.

For more information call the Green Party office on 636239 or e-mail andychase2@yahoo.co.uk.