'No quick fixes' for 'grey and dreary' York area as almost £1m improvement plans backed
THERE are no quick fixes to turn around a grey and dreary part of York, an activist has said ahead of planned improvements worth almost £1m.
Green Party activist Ben Ffrench said efforts to improve the Walmgate area should include more community areas and work to make it look more colourful.
Cllr Dave Merrett, City of York Council’s Labour planning spokesperson, said plans to improve the area were very welcome and residents should start to see a difference from next year.
It follows a decision to commit £250,000 in council funding for works set out in the Walmgate Neighbourhood Improvement Plan on Tuesday, September 8.
The cash comes alongside £500,000 from the council’s Local Transport Grant and £217,000 from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority for the wider regeneration of the area.
Changes planned for Walmgate include building 36 new affordable homes on the site of the vacant Willow House care home which is set to be demolished.
The development, featuring one, two and three bedroom homes offered with social rents and through shared ownership deals on the Long Lane Close site, was approved in May.
Phase One of the improvement plan includes security measures to curb antisocial behaviour, a shared community garden scheme and road improvements for pedestrians and cyclists.
Public artworks, improvements to Walmgate’s parade of shops and plans for a heritage trail are also featured.
Tuesday’s decision session heard work on the improvements was currently set to begin next spring.
Council officials said the plans had received community backing and would boost an area, parts of which are deprived.
But a report on the plans stated there were challenges around delivering the project within planned timescales and with the available funding.
Mr Ffrench said efforts were needed to improve one of the main gateways into York for residents, students and tourists.
The activist said: “There can be no quick fixes, we can’t just design social issues out of the community.
“Residents are fed up of not being listened to when they request maintenance or report antisocial behaviour, that’s got to change.
“People want to have pride in their area, we need a more colourful Walmgate, the area’s too grey and dreary.”
Cllr Merrett, whose Guildhall ward covers Walmgate, said a lot of work had gone into the plans including meeting with residents to discuss them.
The executive member said: “Residents will all be looking forward to this, it’s great to hear we’ll see these improvements from spring next year.”