York Racecourse revamp plan submitted (From York Press)

And because the Press couldn't be bothered to include it as that might have actually been useful and informative, here's the link to the planning application documents:

http://tinyurl.com/a
tey9wc

"...Future phases of the redevelopment will include a new weigh-in building, with the existing facilities for weighing horses being converted into space for racegoers, possibly including a new restaurant."

I think the intention is to weigh the jockeys, not the horses.
Unless the new restuarant is going to sell "Beefburgers".

A dedicated slip road from the A64 into the back of the racecourse would be the best improvement. I don’t wish to stop anyone enjoying an event, but why should those not bothered, suffer the traffic congestion associated with it.

Does anybody out there know if the continued use of the racecourse on the Knavesmire is legal. The original local act of about 1908 transfered the stewardship of the knavesmire and hob moor to the council on the proviso that they maintained it as an 'Open-space' for the people of York. The original act provided for the racecourse but ONLY for 35 years. I've not found any trace of an update/extension to that provision. Does anybody out there know?

petethefeet wrote:
Does anybody out there know if the continued use of the racecourse on the Knavesmire is legal. The original local act of about 1908 transfered the stewardship of the knavesmire and hob moor to the council on the proviso that they maintained it as an 'Open-space' for the people of York. The original act provided for the racecourse but ONLY for 35 years. I've not found any trace of an update/extension to that provision. Does anybody out there know?

To answer your question:
City of York Council approved a new 99-year lease with York Racecourse June/July 2008
(unless this has changed since)

yorkborn66 wrote:

petethefeet wrote:
Does anybody out there know if the continued use of the racecourse on the Knavesmire is legal. The original local act of about 1908 transfered the stewardship of the knavesmire and hob moor to the council on the proviso that they maintained it as an 'Open-space' for the people of York. The original act provided for the racecourse but ONLY for 35 years. I've not found any trace of an update/extension to that provision. Does anybody out there know?

To answer your question:
City of York Council approved a new 99-year lease with York Racecourse June/July 2008
(unless this has changed since)

York Races moved to their current location on the Knavesmire in 1731, previously Clifton York. Frequent flooding from the Ouse led the Corporation at the time to seek an alternative venue.
Until the Municipal Reform Act of 1835 the corporation administered the strays on behalf of the freemen.
The pasture-masters were responsible for maintaining the freemen's rights on the strays,
The freemen made no objection to the corporation’s appointment of pasture-masters before 1835.
The dispute between the corporation and the freemen was renewed in 1856 when the York Race Committee sought a fresh lease of its grandstand and other buildings. The unreformed corporation had granted leases in 1757 and 1769, and these had now expired. The corporation of 1856 did not oppose a new lease in principle, but in view of the freemen's repudiation of the corporation's right to manage the strays, it was hesitant to grant it. Legal opinion was again given that the corporation should appoint pasture-masters and that it held the legal estate of the strays. Concerning the new lease, it was pointed out that the race-course was situated on Knavesmire which was not included within the Dringhouses Act, and was therefore, as always in the past, the freehold of the corporation subject only to a right of pasturage by the freemen; the corporation should therefore grant the lease and the rent from the Race Committee should be divided between corporation and freemen.
Again, in 1880, an exchange of part of Walmgate Stray for adjoining land belonging to the Society of Friends was bedeviled by the same problem. The corporation held the freehold of the stray but was not entitled to alienate it by sale or exchange. The problem was eventually to be resolved in the 20th century by the corporation's acquisition of the freemen's rights in the strays.

(Copied and pasted from information found )

yorkborn66 wrote:
A dedicated slip road from the A64 into the back of the racecourse would be the best improvement. I don’t wish to stop anyone enjoying an event, but why should those not bothered, suffer the traffic congestion associated with it.

Another fantasist. Do you know the area? What route could the A64 take to get to the race course? The bike path is barely a country lane unless you suggest that the law college and allotments be demolished to make way for it!

So they are making it better for the money men again, how about them spending mabey just a fraction of the 5 million on upgrading the family enclosure. Hot running water in the toilets, a small cafe, and somewhere to shelter from the rain whilst allowing us to watch live racing would be appreciated. It is after all the citizens of york that support the racecourse all through the season, that use this enclosure.

Pedro wrote:

yorkborn66 wrote:
A dedicated slip road from the A64 into the back of the racecourse would be the best improvement. I don’t wish to stop anyone enjoying an event, but why should those not bothered, suffer the traffic congestion associated with it.

Another fantasist. Do you know the area? What route could the A64 take to get to the race course? The bike path is barely a country lane unless you suggest that the law college and allotments be demolished to make way for it!

Obviously better than you mate, lived near there for coming on 47 years

yorkborn66 wrote:

Pedro wrote:

yorkborn66 wrote:
A dedicated slip road from the A64 into the back of the racecourse would be the best improvement. I don’t wish to stop anyone enjoying an event, but why should those not bothered, suffer the traffic congestion associated with it.

Another fantasist. Do you know the area? What route could the A64 take to get to the race course? The bike path is barely a country lane unless you suggest that the law college and allotments be demolished to make way for it!

Obviously better than you mate, lived near there for coming on 47 years

I have lived there longer and you fail to tell me where the route is going to go! Because you don't know!

Pedro wrote:

yorkborn66 wrote:
A dedicated slip road from the A64 into the back of the racecourse would be the best improvement. I don’t wish to stop anyone enjoying an event, but why should those not bothered, suffer the traffic congestion associated with it.

Another fantasist. Do you know the area? What route could the A64 take to get to the race course? The bike path is barely a country lane unless you suggest that the law college and allotments be demolished to make way for it!

... when the sites for a new football ground were proposed one was the car boot field, and the original redevelopment of Terry's site, there was talk of an A64 link road from the Middlethorpe bridge as there is sufficient land at the side of both carriageways to make a slip road onto the exiting road which could be widened. The crematorium side is waste ground already owned by the council.

greg 1 wrote:
So they are making it better for the money men again, how about them spending mabey just a fraction of the 5 million on upgrading the family enclosure. Hot running water in the toilets, a small cafe, and somewhere to shelter from the rain whilst allowing us to watch live racing would be appreciated. It is after all the citizens of york that support the racecourse all through the season, that use this enclosure.

couldnt agree more, the lack of facilities on the "cheap side" is pathetic. Those that are there are a disgrace. I dont think the powers that be realise the majority of locals use this side as it means you can visit races more often as it is reasonably priced.

bob the builder wrote:

Pedro wrote:

yorkborn66 wrote:
A dedicated slip road from the A64 into the back of the racecourse would be the best improvement. I don’t wish to stop anyone enjoying an event, but why should those not bothered, suffer the traffic congestion associated with it.

Another fantasist. Do you know the area? What route could the A64 take to get to the race course? The bike path is barely a country lane unless you suggest that the law college and allotments be demolished to make way for it!

... when the sites for a new football ground were proposed one was the car boot field, and the original redevelopment of Terry's site, there was talk of an A64 link road from the Middlethorpe bridge as there is sufficient land at the side of both carriageways to make a slip road onto the exiting road which could be widened. The crematorium side is waste ground already owned by the council.

You assume allot of things Pedro. Calling me another fantasist and saying I simply don’t know. You asked if I know the area? My reply was coming on 47 years. You have lived there longer, congratulations.
I think Bob the builder has given you one of the ideas that were floating around.
I am more than happy to give and take comments, but frankly mate, I cannot be bothered justifying myself to you.

yorkborn66 wrote:

bob the builder wrote:

Pedro wrote:

yorkborn66 wrote:
A dedicated slip road from the A64 into the back of the racecourse would be the best improvement. I don’t wish to stop anyone enjoying an event, but why should those not bothered, suffer the traffic congestion associated with it.

Another fantasist. Do you know the area? What route could the A64 take to get to the race course? The bike path is barely a country lane unless you suggest that the law college and allotments be demolished to make way for it!

... when the sites for a new football ground were proposed one was the car boot field, and the original redevelopment of Terry's site, there was talk of an A64 link road from the Middlethorpe bridge as there is sufficient land at the side of both carriageways to make a slip road onto the exiting road which could be widened. The crematorium side is waste ground already owned by the council.

You assume allot of things Pedro. Calling me another fantasist and saying I simply don’t know. You asked if I know the area? My reply was coming on 47 years. You have lived there longer, congratulations.
I think Bob the builder has given you one of the ideas that were floating around.
I am more than happy to give and take comments, but frankly mate, I cannot be bothered justifying myself to you.

Once again no answer! The problem is that the Law College is IN THE WAY. The other side of the Bishopthorpe RD? I think there is a large pond in the way and constant flooding as well as a farm that would have to be bought at market rates. And god knows that they cost. The cheaper option would be to simply demolish the Law College (how they would laugh after so many upgrades) because you can't have a road running beside a race course can you? What if someone sounds their horn?

betty swollox wrote:

greg 1 wrote:
So they are making it better for the money men again, how about them spending mabey just a fraction of the 5 million on upgrading the family enclosure. Hot running water in the toilets, a small cafe, and somewhere to shelter from the rain whilst allowing us to watch live racing would be appreciated. It is after all the citizens of york that support the racecourse all through the season, that use this enclosure.

couldnt agree more, the lack of facilities on the "cheap side" is pathetic. Those that are there are a disgrace. I dont think the powers that be realise the majority of locals use this side as it means you can visit races more often as it is reasonably priced.

I thinks that's probably why it is cheap. If you want the facilities you mention, I guess you'll have to pay extra like the rest of them.