Residents’ fear over Terry’s bid

8:30am Thursday 28th August 2008

Comments (9)   Have your say »

ANXIOUS residents lobbied developers and councillors as they met to discuss the proposed redevelopment of York’s former Terry’s chocolate factory.

About a dozen locals attended a meeting at the factory, to air their concerns about increased traffic levels and the loss of parking spaces.

A City of York Council planning committee will debate developer Grantside’s plans this afternoon and a site visit was held yesterday with councillors and residents.

Mum-of-three Ruth Helstrip, of Bishopthorpe Road, said residents were worried they would no longer be able to park outside their houses.

She said: “We are not objecting to the development, but we object to the fact that the developer wants to deny us access to our houses by putting in traffic lights and double yellow lines.”

Another local resident, Cristina Rivas Graver, said: “There is some development needed, but not the volume they want.

“They just want to push it through for the people who will not suffer the consequences.”

She voiced concern over the main entrance to the site being opposite Knavesmire Primary School, saying it increased the risk of accidents.

“There will be deaths on the roads here, and it will be children’s more likely,” she said. “It’s just not acceptable.”

Other neighbours voiced concern over the potential impact on air quality and traffic levels as a result of the redevelopment, which will see the former factory converted into housing, offices, shops and a hotel.

Peter Callaghan, Grantside development director, said: “We have done extensive consultation with people regarding our proposals and we continue to meet residents to fully explain our proposals to them.

“While some residents are concerned about the loss of on-street parking, there are others who welcome the proposals as they consider that the current on-street parking is a health and safety risk for pedestrians and cyclists, particularly as the parking is generally half on the road and half on the pavement.

“We have been challenged to provide proposals that address both the parking and the health and safety issues and our submission provides the optimum solution by minimising the loss of parking and maximising the health and safety of all road users.”

The planning committee meets at the Guildhall at 4.30pm today to debate and decide the application.