Plan revealed to build 70 homes next to busy junction in York green belt

Plans have been unveiled to build 70 homes on a site now home to a York nursery.

Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) and North Star want to create the development at the D-Tail Oaktree Nursery.

It’s on Boroughbridge Road, next to the roundabout in Upper Poppleton which connects the A59 to the A1237 outer ring road.

Developers say “a minimum of 65% of the dwellings being proposed as affordable homes”.

“The site lies within the general extent of the York Green Belt as defined in the saved policies of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Spatial Strategy,” planning documents say.

But the 6.75 acre site is “is generally screened from view by the mature hedgerow and tree planting around its boundaries, although glimpsed views into the site are possible through the access point from Roman Road (A59) and from the A1237 (York Outer Ring Road)”.

As well as the 70 homes, a new access road would be built.

“The residential dwellings are proposed to be provided in a variety of different property types including small apartments, semi-detached and detached houses, all of which are two-storeys in height, together with a number of bungalows,” say developers.

“A mix of dwelling types, including 1, 2, 3 and 4 bedroomed properties are proposed.”

Under planning policies “inappropriate development will not be supported except in very special circumstances” on York’s Green Belt.

Developers argue that providing desperately needed affordable homes in York amount to very special circumstances.

The plans have led to several objections.

One resident writes: “This plan is ludicrous. Not only are the services and amenities in Poppleton completely full (to the point that current residents can’t get doctors or dentist appointments and the schools are bursting), but it makes no sense at all to build houses at this area of heavy traffic.”

Another says that maintaining the Green Belt is even more important given the development of several other sites nearby.

They add: “The current levels of traffic in the area are excessive and are projected to be even worse when developments at the British Sugar site, Civil Service ground, business park and Hammerton are built on.”