Residents oppose big wheel extension

9:00am Saturday 2nd February 2013 in News Photograph of the Author By Mark Stead, Political Reporter

The wheel offers a different view of York Minster for passengers in the wheel’s pods The wheel offers a different view of York Minster for passengers in the wheel’s pods

RESIDENTS living in apartments next to the site of York’s big wheel have objected to plans to keep it operating for another eight months.

The 53-metre observation wheel in the grounds of the Royal York Hotel was originally due to be dismantled at the start of February under the terms of planning permission granted by City of York Council in 2011, but its new owners have now asked for it to continue until the end of September.

A decision on whether the wheel can remain is expected to be made within weeks, during which time it can stay open.

Dubai-based Freij Entertainment International, which bought the structure from Great City Attractions Global, has said it believes York is “the right place” for the attraction.

However, opposition to the plans for the 42-pod wheel to stay until September 30, after which it would be dismantled, has come from people living in nearby Westgate Apartments, some of whom called for the original plans to be rejected in 2011.

In a letter sent to the council’s planning department, June Richardson, who lives in the Leeman Road block, said the wheel caused “constant intrusion” and it had been “tolerated” by residents because they thought it would be taken down in early 2013.

Fellow resident Jacinta Elliott said in her objection: “Not everybody enjoys being observed in their own homes”.

Their views were echoed by Westgate resident Ivan Shaw, who said the wheel had led to a “total lack of privacy”, and Barrie Barton, who claimed people’s sleep patterns had been disturbed by the noise created when high winds gust through the frame.

In the planning application, Roger Etchells & Co, the agents for the scheme, said there had been “a number of complaints” since the wheel was put in place but these had been addressed.

The application states: “The wheel has not had the adverse effects anticipated by many who objected to it at the outset.”

Tourism body Visit York has said it would welcome the wheel remaining in the city until the autumn.

Comments(15)

notmyrealname says...
9:27am Sat 2 Feb 13

What is the point in a Planning Dept when they never take note of peoples objections What do the residents need to do to get rid of this eyesore. No local, tourist or visitor i have met has ever showed any interest on going on it.

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Events politics Life says...
9:53am Sat 2 Feb 13

Here we go again!

The residents of Westgate seem to be the only people in the world that bought rights to the city planning decisions when they bought there property.

So in 7 months the wheel will go (sept) and never be seen again so why not just let the people keep their jobs let the wheel bring tourists in and then hope the post offices on Leeman Road are turned into something for these residents to moan about so their life is complete.

This city needs more attractions and events to create employment and money into the city.

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Dawnshine says...
11:36am Sat 2 Feb 13

I've been on the wheel and my interest wasn't to stare into peoples homes, you can do that walking down any given street who can be bothered using drapes but that's a different gripe, anyhow when I was on the wheel funny enough I was interested in seeing the cities sites and looking at the skyline, seeing york's beauty from above. I didn't even notice if it was or was not possible to see into homes and who would really go on the wheel just to stare into these peoples homes, just get drapes if it bothers so much.

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xtc says...
2:00pm Sat 2 Feb 13

notmyrealname wrote:
What is the point in a Planning Dept when they never take note of peoples objections What do the residents need to do to get rid of this eyesore. No local, tourist or visitor i have met has ever showed any interest on going on it.
Too true no interest in it anymore get rid of the eyesore.

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bagnall1928@yahoo.com says...
2:43pm Sat 2 Feb 13

I was born and raised in York, worked, also ran businesses there.
I was appalled that this eyesore was even allowed.
It could have been put up on the outskirts, knavesmire etc.
but not where it is so horribly visible. '
I hope it will be dismantled ere long..s

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bob the builder says...
6:10pm Sat 2 Feb 13

The nimbys from the leaking 1960s Soviet style carbuncle overlooking the sorting office whine again! They thought they were going to cash in on those 'waterfront' apartments, and having failed to do so constantly whinge about anything, from the wreaths in the memorial garden, to parking in the Royal York, and noise from the sorting office - all things that predate their concrete boxes. You have no legal right to a view nor a profit on your poor investment. Put up and shut up, or go back to London.

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YorkieTalkie says...
7:58pm Sat 2 Feb 13

I live in York, I've been on it and enjoyed it, and think it looks great.

Maybe not in the best of locations, but not sure where else it could go without it a) being too far from the city centre which is part of the appeal, or b) too close to more congested residential areas.

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yorkonafork says...
10:08pm Sat 2 Feb 13

Hope it stays. Great addition to our city.

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Magicman! says...
3:19am Sun 3 Feb 13

Good grief how egotistical are these people in Westgate to think the people on the wheel are looking at THEM?

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postedinyork says...
9:50am Sun 3 Feb 13

just approaching Market Weighton on my way home from Hull last week I could see 2 york landmarks. 1, York minster and 2, a giant hamster wheel. How this eyesore was ever allowed in a city that supposedly prides itself on not allowing anything that doesn't fit in with its historic sites is beyond me.

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Malcolm says...
3:37pm Sun 3 Feb 13

I was appalled when Westgate got planning permission and even more appalled when it was completed. It's an eyesore, pull it down, get rid of it.

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bunties says...
7:04pm Sun 3 Feb 13

I think it looks nice.

I've been on it and I certainly was not interested in looking into those apartments when there was everything else to see.

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meme says...
9:22am Mon 4 Feb 13

What on earth is wrong with the wheel?
Its another addittion to our skyline and hardly offensive.
I have been on it and can honeastly say I didnt even notice westgate let alone look into their windows. You go on it for the view in the distance over York not local properties
Live and let live
I wonder how many in Westgate have complained?...Do guests in hotel complain as well?
Westgate apartments was a big modern addition to the City which I think has fitted in well. Its far better than the offensive modern, faceless, brick boxes elsewhere in the city and should age very well given the high quality materials used to build it.
Change and modernisation is part of the evolution of this great City and some will not be liked by all but generally both are in my opinion very acceptable

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jadestars says...
10:36am Mon 4 Feb 13

I live in York and have been on it a couple of times, I think it looks lovely at night all lit up and whenever I have visitors coming to York they always comment on how good it looks too. Never once do I ever recall looking in someone's window. I have far better things to look at. Let it stay I say. It's only for a few months.

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jadestars says...
10:39am Mon 4 Feb 13

I live in York and have been on it a couple of times, I think it looks lovely at night all lit up and whenever I have visitors coming to York they always comment on how good it looks too. Never once do I ever recall looking in someone's window. I have far better things to look at. Let it stay I say. It's only for a few months.

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