YORK desperately needs new and affordable homes for local people, as your editorial highlighted (June 14). The misery of unsuitable and inadequate housing must not be forgotten and we must work together to prevent it becoming a problem in York.
Therefore I must challenge M Wilson (letters June 13) who argues that we should not build homes at Metcalfe Lane, Osbaldwick and share some facts about the council's approach to housing development.
In order to keep up with the demand for affordable homes we encourage the renovation of existing buildings. The successful and highly praised conversion of space above shops in the Shambles into affordable homes for local people is just one example.
On June 15 the council launched its city centre living initiative. This encourages property owners to realise the potential of unused space above shops so that it can be converted into affordable homes.
And the latest figures show that over 60 per cent of all homes built in York last year were on re-used land.
But to keep pace with the need for homes we will also have to use some new land - the challenge for us all is to keep this to a minimum and ensure that developments include open space and, wherever possible, enhance flora and fauna. This is just what we are aiming for at Metcalfe Lane, Osbaldwick with 30 per cent of the site given over to open space and plans to enhance the ecology and wildlife in the area.
I urge your readers to support housing development in the city when it is sensitive to local need and sensibly designed. Only with your support can we provide adequate homes for local people.
Roy Wallington,
Head of Strategy & Commissioning,
Community Services,
George Hudson Street,
York.
...WE should question the Regional Housing Statement (June 14) which claims shortage of low cost housing is causing an exodus of young people from the area. Produced largely by organisations with a vested interest in building houses, it seeks to justify more development.
John Hocking, City of York Council's assistant housing director, refers to the report in support of the development proposed for wildflower meadows at Metcalfe Lane. The Tang Hall II development will however comprise largely market price, speculative housing with only a small proportion of affordable homes. Experience suggests over half the new housing will go to people commuting to jobs elsewhere in the region. Such development degrades York's environment and places new pressure on its infrastructure. It also damages the rest of the region by reducing incentives for needed regeneration in areas abandoned by the commuters.
The council's housing survey reveals that only 0.6 per cent in York are overcrowded while 12.5 per cent are under occupied. Importantly, it also reveals that two thirds of those who expressed an opinion did not expect new housing to be built on greenfield sites .
York citizens recognise that current expansionist policies confer little benefit on York people but have unacceptably high environmental costs. City of York Council should take heed.
Barry Potter,
Chairman YNET,
Knapton Lane,
Acomb, York.
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