Residential street set for further over-development as a result of Government intervention

The recent refusal by the Council’s East Area Planning Committee of a planning application for 93 Newland Park Drive has been overruled by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate, following an appeal by the applicant.

The original refusal took into account representations by local residents and Hull Road Labour Councillor Neil Barnes, and concluded that further excessive development in the street would be detrimental to the local community.

On appeal by the applicant, the Government’s Planning Inspectorate disregarded local views and the decision by York councillors.

Coun. Neil Barnes said: “Since my election in May 2011, I have worked tirelessly to scrutinise all planning applications in the area, particularly where developers sought to create ‘super-homes’ out of what were sensibly-sized family houses.

“I have attempted to call these developers to account and resist the drive away from sustainable mixed communities. On several occasions I have represented the views of residents at planning committee – particularly regarding Newland Park Drive, which is a hotspot for development of these overbearing super-homes.

“On several occasions, I have found the decisions of the planning committee overruled by the Government’s Planning Inspectorate. This completely disregards the valid views of local residents and the councillors representing them and makes a mockery of the Government’s localism agenda”.