Strensall homes plan dealt a blow

Developers Bonneycroft LLP have applied for permission to create the three-bedroom houses in Princess Road at Strensall, a site on which the company had originally hoped to build a care home.

But planning officers at City of York Council have said the homes scheme is too big for the area and have recommended it for refusal.

A final decision is set to be taken later this week.

The scheme consists of ten two-storey houses and four three-storey homes, and the demolition of a run-down bungalow which currently stands on the site.

Bonneycroft said it had tried to address concerns raised about its previous application for a 60-bedroom old people’s home.

That application was rejected by the council last year and a subsequent appeal by the developers failed.

Bonneycroft’s proposals for the 14 homes are to be discussed by the authority’s east area planning sub-committee on Thursday.

In a report which will go before that meeting, development management officer Kevin Blackburn said ten objections had been raised during a public consultation, on grounds ranging from the height and size of the scheme to potential traffic congestion and loss of privacy.

It added the council’s environment, conservation and sustainable development section believed the plans represented “overdevelopment” and “should be redesigned rather than tweaked”.

It said: “The application is considered to be unacceptable due to impact on the character of the area, neighbour amenity and the adverse effect on protected trees.

“In addition, the applicant has made no formal commitment to provision of affordable housing or to make financial contributions towards open space or education.”

Agents acting for Bonneycroft said the firm had taken on board issues which led to the original care home plans being turned down, such as the impact of a development on nearby residents, when drawing up the homes proposals, and council officers have said the Princess Road site is “suitable for housing in principle”.