Protesters urge united front to oppose 685-home development

Developers have submitted detailed plans for what would be York’s largest housing development in recent years – nearly five years after the contentious project was given the go-ahead following a public inquiry.

The Germany Beck development, which would be built on the outskirts of the city in Fulford, has sparked a wave of opposition amid fears over air pollution and increased traffic on York’s already congested roads. Persimmon Homes and Hogg the Builder are both involved in the plans to construct 685 homes on land, which has been at the centre of planning wrangles dating back three decades when it was first earmarked for development.

The housing scheme has also sparked opposition from academics and historians, who have claimed that the development could actually be built on the site of the Battle of Fulford.

Coun Keith Aspden, a Liberal Democrat member who represents the Fulford ward on York Council, has now urged residents to petition the local authority to provide a unified front against the development.

He said: “There are still major concerns over the impact that this development will have, especially with traffic volumes and air pollution.

“I have always said that a single access site that is prone to flooding is not the best option for such a major housing scheme.

“But we need to make sure that if the council does approve the planning application, every effort is made to minimise the impact.”

He added: “I would urge all residents to get in contact with the council to outline their concerns, as this is very much the last opportunity to do so before a decision is made.”

The council’s planning officers are currently verifying the reserved matters application, which sets out the development’s fine detail, before a 21-day consultation will be launched.

The application is then due to be considered by a council planning committee meeting at some point in April, although an exact date has yet to be confirmed.

Coun Aspden has called for details of the public consultation to be sent to Fulford’s 1,300 households, rather than just the properties which neighbour the site of the proposed development.

He said: “The planning process is now nearing completion, but the majority of residents are unaware of the remaining steps that will be taken by developers for these final plans to be agreed. I am pressing for the council and developers to get in touch with all households in Fulford to engage with the issues residents still have over the final details.”

Persimmon Homes staged its own public consultation which ended last month before the detailed planning application was finalised.

The housing scheme provoked an outcry amid claims it is earmarked for the site of the Battle of Fulford in 1066.

The invading Viking army, led by Harald Hardrada, triumphed over the English forces and the victory is seen as crucial in the run-up to the Battle of Hastings and William the Conqueror ultimately being crowned King of England.

Historians have attempted to pinpoint the location of the battlefield as campaigners tried to halt the development.

But outline planning permission for the housing scheme was granted in 2007 after a public inquiry.

The managing director of Persimmon Homes Yorkshire, Andrew Bowes, confirmed that a reserved planning matters application was submitted on Wednesday last week following a “lengthy and extended public consultation”.

He claimed the company had “worked collaboratively” with residents and the council to provide “every opportunity for constructive comment”.

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