MEMBERS of the public have been given the chance to have their say on proposals for the Bootham Crescent site.

A three-week consultation

period, held by Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, started yesterday at St Luke’s Parish Hall on Shipton Street, with members of the building company’s design team on hand to discuss the proposals and listen to feedback.

York City FC is expected to move out of the 4.24 acre site next summer and is heading to the community stadium being built at Monks Cross.

Persimmon has said it will consider all responses to the consultation and a spokesman for the company said he was pleased with the turnout.

He was pleased with the constructive responses he had already heard and urged residents to consider that the company is helping to deal with the city’s dire housing situation.

He also pointed out that the development will feature 20 per cent affordable housing.

However, local residents felt there was much that Persimmon needed to consider before submitting their planning application.

Barbara Martin, of Bootham Green near the ground, said: “We’ve always been aware that this was going to happen, but we’re rather shocked by the amount of housing.

“I’m not a nimby, but the access needed will exacerbate traffic and it’s the parking that goes with it.”

She pointed out that access for emergency vehicles in the area is already tight, due to the narrow roads and parked cars.

Her neighbour, Sue Williams, said: “I want to sit in my garden, but I don’t want to be gassed by the increased traffic.”

Residents were also concerned about the closeness of new roads to houses, the positioning of green spaces and architectural styles proposed for new builds.

After the consultation period, Persimmon will consider feedback before applying for planning permission. It is thought that the work will not go ahead until at least the end of 2019.

Responses to the proposals are invited by Thursday, October 11 and can be posted to: Planning Team, Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, Persimmon House, Fulford, York, YO19 4FE.

Alternatively, comments can be sent via email to: yorkshire.land@persimmonhomes.com

To request a copy of the plans call 01904 642 199 or go to www.persimmonhomes.com