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Behind the bike rack?

Latest news: see comments below.

Please click on the comments link below to read the latest news on the bike shelter. 

You will have seen the new bike rack shelter that have been installed by the City of York Council next to the Library. Apparently this meets its policy of encouraging library staff and users to cycle to the library.


Both the Millennium Trust and the Bishopthorpe Parish Council have objected to this latest intrusion, installed without any forewarning, and are in contact with the Council over the matter. 

Apparently there has been some internal discussion within the Council, and despite objections, the Council has now requested retrospective planning permission for the shed.

If you think that it is about time that the Council stopped messing about with our village, particularly its Conservation Area for which special rules are supposed to apply: that it should not install a bike facility as there is already one at the library; should not waste its money; or should listen when people say that we should draw up a proper plan for the village centre as has been suggested by the Bishopthorpe@Crossroads scheme, then write or call to object to the planning permission.

Should the bike rack be located elsewhere? 

Ref No: 05/02770/GRG3
Location: Bishopthorpe Library Main Street Bishopthorpe York YO23 2RB
Proposal: Erection of bike shelter

David Gamble tel: (01904) 551657

or fill in the online form at

http://www.york.gov.uk/contact/planningobject.html 

Meanwhile let us recall the Council's own words from its Highways Design guide:

New development should preserve or enhance the architectural or historic character or appearance of Conservation Areas and should respect the character and setting of Listed Buildings and of adjacent Conservation Areas.


New development in village Conservation Areas should generally respect the predominant form of the particular village and a standardised approach to highway design and detailing is unlikely to be appropriate. ... the highway must be designed to reflect the character of the area.

If you want to comment on the installation, do write to Cllr David Livesley at 33 Lang Road Bishopthorpe, or the Parish Council clerk.

If you do want to put a bike rack up, there are better ways to do it too. Here is a picture of a rack installed in a park area of by the Hambleton District and Town Councils that actually has had some interesting design input into it. Now this would enhance an area!


 

 

 

 

 


 

 

 

Posted by Martin Dudley on February 8, 2006 1:26 PM |

Comments (3)

Stewart Harrison:
There appears to have been universal disapproval in the village of the bike shelter that suddenly appeared next to the village library in early December 2005. This was erected without planning permission but City of York council submitted a retrospective plan in January of this year. However, I have now been informed that the shelter does not require planning permission, as it is classed as “permitted development” on City of York council land. Apparently, the shelter was erected following a consultation/survey undertaken by the Transport Department of City of York recommended that the council should have a policy of encouraging their employees to cycle to work. Unfortunately, it would appear that City of York did not consult with either the Library staff or people of Bishopthorpe. I have therefore asked for it to be removed and this has been promised by the end of February. We'll have to wait and see!

Posted by Stewart Harrison | February 7, 2006 11:34 PM

Posted on February 7, 2006 23:34

Martin:
This is good news, congratulations. As to the comments about "permitted development", this is really a red herring. The area in question is a Conservation Area. This means that it is an area of special historic and architectural interest, the character of which it is desirable to preserve or enhance. Preservation means nothing must change. The alternative is to enhance an area, which means to augment, reinforce, supplement, improve or strengthen the character of the area. Clearly the bike shelter as erected does none of these things. Further, English Heritage and the Department of Transport's Streets for All (2005) says of bike racks: "The provision of secure cycle parking is important to making sreets accesible for all...the siting and design of cycle stands must be robust, easy to use... and be designed as part of a consistent family of street furniture". So yes let's have cycle provision, but done in the context of an overall scheme for improvements. This is what the Crossroads project sets out to do.

Posted by Martin | February 8, 2006 11:12 AM

Posted on February 8, 2006 11:12

Romy:
I think you should also point out that the library already has cycle parking, and has had for at least 5 years. 6 very visible spaces at the front of the library - regularly used but never full.

Posted by Romy | February 8, 2006 6:17 PM

Posted on February 8, 2006 18:17

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