PEOPLE in York city-centre should be given the chance to plan for their neighbourhood's future, their three local councillors have said.

Micklegate ward has recently seen unsuccessful community campaigns on the future of former council care home Oliver House and the historic Clementhorpe Maltings.

Now the ward councillors Johnny Hayes, Julie Gunnell and Lars Kramm want to see if a Neighbourhood Plan could give people in the area chance to proactively set out their wishes for the area.

The councillors are to meet this week to discuss the idea of a neighbourhood plan, and want to hear from local people with views.

York Press:

Cllrs Lars Kramm, Johnny Hayes and Julie Gunnell

Independent Cllr Hayes said: "There seems to be a general feeling that locals are reacting to things rather than being proactive.

"The government has for a while been encouraging people to draw up our own neighbourhood plans, and this is a chance for us to know what assets are there in the ward, what kind of housing we want, and where things like schools could be built if we need another school in Micklegate. It's just about being more proactive."

York Press:

Oliver House, left, and Clementhorpe Maltings

His fellow councillor Lars Kramm, of the Green Party, is also behind the idea, saying it could see the ward follow areas such as Copmanthorpe in drawing up plans which would then be legal considerations when it comes to planning applications.

Cllr Kramm said that while the York Local Plan is still not finalised, a neighbourhood plan would have proper legal standing when it comes to planning applications and even appeals.

"We have a chance for the community to have a voice in the planning process."

A neighbourhood plan would could also see priorities set out for employment land in the ward, and strengthen the case for workshops or small business units in the area rather than more housing, which tends to be more popular and lucrative for developers, he added.

"From the reactions we have had from local people, they want to be more involved in the planning process."

The ward's Labour councillor Julie Gunnell said she was keen to look into the possibilities of a neighbourhood plan and investigate how it might be set up.