LETTERS ROUND-UP

Estimates in the bid document, prepared by the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP), say it could help create up to 6,600 jobs in York and boost the regional economy by £1.1 billion.

In many areas York already has a thriving economy, but its potential is held back by the lack of quality office space in the city centre. For many growing businesses in the city, York Central would be the perfect option with rail links to London, Leeds, Newcastle and elsewhere intrinsic to the site.

A successful bid would also see business rates for the site retained in the area rather than sent to Government. This financial support could in turn help deliver housing on the site and protect York’s Green Belt – a key policy for the Liberal Democrats.

All in all, this is a hugely significant application. I would like to thank the officers from York and elsewhere for their work in producing it and I hope that the Government will look favourably on the bid.

Cllr Keith Aspden, Deputy leader of City of York Council and executive member for economic development

ALLAN Charlesworth criticised previous council administrations (Letters, September 25) over their failure to develop the York Central site.

But developers will only emerge from the woodwork when they foresee favourable economic conditions, and regardless of which politicians run the local authority.

Development control was previously directed by Whitehall via a series of planning policy guidance instructions.

These co-ordinated land use and transport, and required a sequential consideration of development sites with urban brownfield as a preferred first choice.

This was because these sites can be well served by public transport, and are within practicable cycling distance for many journeys, hence reduced car dependency.

PPGs have since been replaced by a national planning policy framework. This has devolved more decision making to local councils.

In respect of brownfield sites, the NPPF merely requires that local planning policies and decisions encourage the effective use of land.

The previously mandated links with transport and sustainable development have been significantly watered down.

Notwithstanding the NPPF’s greater leeway, the York Central team must strive to reduce car dependency, and avoid inducing traffic which cannot be readily accommodated in other parts of the city.

Otherwise air quality will be degraded, and more “rat running” will occur along unsuitable residential streets, as main roads become yet more congested.

Paul Hepworth, Windmill Rise, York

PROPOSALS for an eight-year contract for York Park&Ride present a real opportunity to improve the services and tackle pollution levels in York.

All vehicles should be electric or CNG powered, and services should run until 10.30pm to at least three of the sites so that residents can use them to go to evening entertainment. Providing secure overnight parking facilities at a nominal charge would allow visitors to avoid peak time congestion as well as the cost and hassle of hotel or city centre parking.

Making the York Designer Outlet into more of an express service might make sense, but only if the 415 or other frequent service is altered to maintain the current direct link to the station for residents living along Fulford Road.

Prices must be kept low but also linked to city centre parking charges to remain attractive.

The opportunity should also be taken to ensure simple close links between routes for people going to York Hospital, the railway station etc.

Buses should have audio announcements and visitors need clearer explanation of which stops to use to return to their cars (usually the stop where they get off).

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, Green Party, Broadway West, York

THE comments made by Liz Edge (Letters, September 18) highlights the big divide between the haves and the have nots.

How dare a government minister suggest that governments should not increase taxes for the higher paid because it would mean that they will find a way around the additional expenditure.

Tax is not an expenditure, it is an accepted way of life that the vast majority accept (apart from some of the rich) so that the country has an infrastructure such as the NHS, the police and fire service, education, roads, motorways, and other essential services.

How would the tax avoiders/evaders react if, due to their avoidance or evasion of tax, when their house was on fire, the brigade would not turn up, or they were not allowed to drive on the roads and motorways or walk on the footpaths?

Surely, instead of spouting such things in Parliament, they should spend their time to find a way of closing the tax loopholes.

H F Perry, St James Place, Dringhouses, York

NICOLA Sturgeon is again pushing for another referendum on Scotland leaving the UK.

From an economic viewpoint, if they do leave our financial deficit would be immediately reduced.

Geoff Robb, Dunnington, York