Update on Eastfield Lane, Dunnington (Planning Application 20/01626/FULM)

30 November 2021

The City of York Council gave consent to this planning application, for 83 dwellings on Green Belt land, at their Planning Committee meeting on Thursday 7 October 2021.

As yet the minutes of that meeting have not been published and the decision letter has not been produced. The City of York Council stated on 11 November 2021 that, because the section 106 agreement has not been concluded, it could take months to produce the decision letter. Until this happens the planning application is deemed not to have been formally approved.

The Parish Council discussed the matter at an extra ordinary meeting on 25 October 2021 and unanimously agreed to take the following action:

Letter to The Press:

A letter stating the Parish Council’s position regarding the planning process was published in The Press during week commencing 25 October 2021.

Call In Request:

A call in letter was submitted to the Secretary of State on 26 October 2021 requesting that the planning application be called in for a review of the decision by them. We received an acknowledgement letter dated 23 November 2021 stating that the matter is under consideration.

Support from Local MP:

A request was sent to Julian Sturdy MP on 26 October 2021 to write to the Secretary of State and support the call in letter. We received confirmation on 16 November 2021 that he has taken this course of action. In addition he has also said that he will try and raise the matter with the Secretary of State on a face to face basis if he gets the opportunity to do so.

Judicial Review Opinion:

The Parish Council’s solicitor has instructed a QC, on our behalf, to offer an opinion on whether there is a case to answer. However until such time as the decision letter is produced the matter is on hold.

Section 106 Agreement:

The section 106 agreement associated with this planning application has not yet been concluded. The Parish Council has not been invited to input in to this part of the process and we are proposing to approach City of York Council to address this matter.