Action urged to save York woodland on school site

Local residents want to see the nature site on Fulford Cross School land retained when the school closes in 2004.

If necessary, they would take over the running and protection of the site so it can continue to be enjoyed by local people and schoolchildren across the city.

The meeting at the school was organised by residents and attended by several representatives of City of York Council, who explained that the site would be available from September 2004 and that a widespread consultation would take place to determine how best to use it.

But there was a strong feeling from residents that any development should retain the nature area, and local people wanted to see it declared as green belt land.

Local resident Richard Whiting, a member of the York Natural Environment Trust and the council's Natural Environment Panel, said that developing the nature area would be "preposterous" and would deprive the city of a vital resource.

Speaking to the Evening Press after the meeting he said: "The meeting was a lively one and clear signals were given to the council that this is a very important area for York.

"The city is lacking in woodland areas, there's plenty of wonderful old buildings, but it is very short of woodland. I think the council has got the message that it can't just sell off areas which are sensitive like this without a public outcry.

"And there's no reason why the residents and others shouldn't get together and look after the site themselves.

"The next step will be the battle of the green belt, but the plans for the site are a long way off."

A council spokesman said the meeting was a real success.

He said: "This was the first stage of our ongoing consultation with residents about the future of the site.

"We were pleased that there was a well-attended meeting at the school last night and we will be taking people's views on board."

Updated: 15:06 Tuesday, September 24, 2002