Not enough anti-crime measures in Nestlé’s plans for York site

The confectionery giant wants to redevelop some of its old factory buildings, to create homes, offices, shops, student accommodation, a community centre and a gym.

But North Yorkshire Police say Nestlé’s plans do not include enough anti-crime measures and the force has now called on City of York Council to refuse planning permission.

Jim Shanks, the force’s architectural liaison officer, said Nestlé had failed to work with police to make sure the site was safe, and raised a number of “serious concerns” about the plans. He said: • There were too many footpaths and through roads, which could give alternative escape routes for criminals • There were too many open routes on to the Sustrans cycle track, running parallel to Hambleton Terrace, which he said was already a crime hotspot • Car parks were too near the cycle track and would encourage car crime • The play area was too near housing and would fuel antisocial behaviour • The cycle stores were not secure enough.

Mr Shanks said: “There are crime and disorder implications associated with the proposed design and layout of this development which need to be addressed by the developer.”

A Nestlé spokesman said: “We have consulted extremely closely with City of York Council throughout and the current application is based on the planning brief, which was approved by the planning committee.

“We will continue to work closely with the planning department to agree any amendments which will be necessary to enable to application to move forward to committee.”

Subject to planning permission, Nestlé hopes to sell the land at the southern end of its complex to a developer.

Last year, Mr Shanks said the design of modern housing developments had made crime easier, as the abundance of paths and through roads gave criminals a choice of escape route.

He cited Olympian Court off Lawrence Street and Sovereign Park off Boroughbridge Road in York as examples.