More than 160 homes approved near university site

Plans have been approved for more than 160 homes on land off York's Hull Road

Plans have been approved for 162 homes next to a busy road in York, despite concerns over road crossings, traveller pitches and the estate being used for parking.

Persimmon Homes’ plans for 153 homes and nine self and custom-built plots on land between Hull Road and the University of York’s Campus East were approved by City of York Council.

The firm's head planner Graham Whiteford told councillors it would offer homes to local people before they go on general sale and would contribute £3m to the local area.

Approval of the plans comes nine years after they were first lodged with the council.

Concerns were raised about crossing the busy Hull Road dual carriageway from the site

The Local Democracy Reporting Service said the plans included 49 affordable homes.

The remaining 113 are set to be sold on the open market after being offered to people in York and key workers.

Council planning officers recommended the development, which includes 16 visitor parking spaces, for approval.

But concerns raised at the meeting included those related to parking.

Andrew Mortimer, who lives in the Hull Road area, said the site could become filled up with cars from university staff and students, while no one living there would be able to park without a residents’ parking scheme.

Mr Mortimer added residents would also have to cross two lanes of traffic on the 40mph (64km/h) Hull Road to reach the B&Q and Trade Point on the other side.

Meanwhile, Abbie North, of the York Traveller Trust, said there was a lack of detail about the decision not to provide on-site traveller pitches as per the council’s draft Local Plan.

The new homes are to be built on land opposite a B&Q store

Permission has pledged to fund improvements to the road including widening footpaths and adding a signalled crossing.

It has also agreed to pay £300,000 towards two new traveller pitches off-site.

Mr Whiteford said Persimmon was also not averse to looking at a residents’ parking scheme after acknowledging that the future expansion of the university could create problems.

Speaking after the meeting, Persimmon Yorkshire’s land director, Joel Frank, said the development would "provide a range of house types for young people, families and downsizers alike with excellent access to local amenities".

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