Hull Road councillors call for ban on letting boards

The three Hull Road ward Labour councillors have called for action on letting boards in areas near the University of York – asking City of York Council to apply to the Government for permission to implement special planning regulations, which could ban the use of letting boards outright.
 


Letting boards on Siward Street

Councillors Hilary Shepherd, David Levene and Neil Barnes have written to both the Chair of the council’s planning committee and the Executive Member covering planning matters, asking that this issue be considered as a matter of urgency.

This coincides with the following petition launched by Hull Road ward councillors:

We, the undersigned, believe that an excessive number of letting boards are damaging the visual environment of the local area and increase the risk of crime against those living there at certain times of the year, particularly in Hull Road ward, and that they are no longer necessary given well-used online alternatives.



 

We therefore call on the Government to give City of York Council the power to ban letting boards in locations with an excessive amount and where there is local support.

Hull Road Cllrs with the petition

The petition is on-going and the Hull Road ward councillors are collecting signatures for presentation to the council at a later date.

You can sign the petition online via the council's website (log in or registration required)

Coun. Hilary Shepherd said: “The issue of letting boards in areas near the University is one frequently brought to our attention as local councillors. Residents feel strongly that they are an eyesore that reduces pride in the community.

“We also know that students are concerned at properties that could become a target for crime during University holidays if they are so openly advertised. With the rise of websites that offer online advertising, physical letting boards are unnecessary and serve only as a form of visual ‘one-upmanship’ between individual letting agencies.

“Local authorities can apply to the Government for permission to introduce special planning controls – including a blanket ban - and we’re asking the council’s lead planning members to consider this action on behalf of the city’s residents.”



Out on a cold afternoon collecting signatures...

The move follows efforts made by Coun. Barnes and former ward councillor Fiona Fitzpatrick in the last couple of years to gain a voluntary agreement from leading letting agents to end the use of letting boards attached to properties.  Although some agents signed up, support was not unanimous - meaning a request for more formal powers to end the practice is the only alternative option.


What's been done elsewhere?

 

In 2014, Newcastle city council applied to Government for “Regulation 7 Direction” – banning letting boards in certain areas of the city. This was followed by Reading in 2015.

Leeds obtained a Regulation 7 Direction in 2006 for Headingley.

There have also been recent bans, consultations and incidents involving agents' boards in London, Brighton, Southampton and many other areas of the UK.

Regulation 7 Direction: This removes normal rights to display boards without express consent, enabling the council to implement a complete ban enforceable by court action and fines of up to £2,500.

Tree planting and Halloween activities at the Tang Hall Community Orchard!

Hull Road Ward Committee - 3rd Nov 2015

We invite you the next Hull Road Ward Committee!

Following up on traffic issues in Tang Hall

Neil, David and Hilary regularly campaign on localised issues that residents have brought to our attention. One such issue is that of traffic problems along Lang Avenue and Ingleborough Avenue in the east of Tang Hall.

Problems have been caused at the Tang Hall Lane end of Lang Avenue by excess on-street parking. So we went out door-knocking along the street to find out what residents thought – and what solutions might they welcome. We spoke to a good number of people on the day and left a letter for those we didn’t talk to. Further letters, emails and telephone calls have come in from residents following our door-knocking. 

David, Hilary and Neil on Lang Avenue

We’ll use this consultation to build a report for council officers that gives a true picture of the issues - and what solutions residents will welcome.

If you’d like us to undertake similar activity and consult on issues in your street within Hull Road ward, please do get in touch.

Are you registered to vote?

Changes by the Conservative-Lib Dem Government have resulted in thousands of people - many of them students - not being registered to vote.

You only have until the 20th April to register, so go to www.gov.uk/register-to-vote now, or if you need help, contact City of York Council.

The Hull Road Labour team and local volunteers were out on Saturday 11th April encouraging residents to check they are registered to vote.

Great response for Labour candidates in Tang Hall!

The complete Labour team of local candidates and parliamentary candidate were joined by retiring York Central MP, Sir Hugh Bayley for an evening door-knocking session in the heart of Tang Hall.

York Central MP candidate Rachael Maskell and Hull Road ward candidates Neil Barnes, Hilary Shepherd and David Levene were overwhelmed by the fantastic support for Labour in the area.

Left to right: Neil Barnes, Hilary Shepherd, Rachael Maskell,
Sir Hugh Bayley and David Levene.

Issues raised included the rising cost of living, housing and the future of the NHS. Residents were pleased to be able to wish Sir Hugh all the best for the future and to welcome Rachael and the local election candidates. Several 'Vote Labour' posters will be on their way to the area!

Badger Hill joins in Smarter York Big Clean

On Saturday 28th March, your Hull Road Labour candidates, Neil Barnes, David Levene and Hilary Shepherd, joined local residents and members of the Badger Hill Residents Community Group for a litter pick across the estate.

This was as part of the City of York Council's annual Smarter York Big Clean.

Neil Barnes, Hilary Shepherd and David Levene (2nd, 3rd and 4th from left)
with Badger Hill residents before the litter pick.

Neil, David and Hilary had a good time out with local volunteers and Neil eventually took six full bags of litter to the James Street household waste centre - a great result!

The Badger Hill Residents Community Group are an apolitical organisation who have been very active across the estate over many years. They've been an immensely useful local resource for Hull Road councillors, providing great insight into local issue.