Indymedia York

The Public Inquiry into the controversial University of York expansion reopened today. York Green Party led the charge on the first day of the new session, accusing the University of planning a “commercial land grab” in the Greenbelt and abusing its position as a leading University.

The Green Party told the inquiry in the Guildhall today that the buildings proposed are unsustainable, the plans to manage traffic growth ‘not credible’, and the insistence on using Greenbelt land ‘unreasonable’.

Councillor Mark Hill led the Green Party’s presentation. He said “This is basically a land grab, using the University’s good reputation to get access to Greenbelt land for a lucrative business park. The effect on the surrounding parts of York will be severe: extra congestion, reduced air quality and increased house prices.”

Campaigner Dave Taylor, a former director of York’s Inward Investment Board, also disputed the University’s claim that the development deserved to be exempt from Greenbelt rules. “There would have to be very good reasons to build on greenbelt land. Particularly to build workplaces in locations where there is inadequate public transport and an already strained road network with air quality problems. There are alternative ways and locations to provide employment opportunities and those alternatives have not been properly explored.”

The Green Party’s case also reflected the deeply-held concerns of residents about the ever increasing number of students. “If the University expansion goes ahead but it fails to provide sufficient student accommodation, we will see more of the surrounding housing being converted to multiple-occupancy, and further deterioration of communities in the area,” said Dave Taylor.

The Green Party claimed that the extra jobs created could bring 6,000 people to the area, raising house prices still further. Councillor Hill said, “The responsible thing to do would be to have included enough accommodation in the plans for the intended staff as well as the students.”

“The University is not a good neighbour to the City of York. It should not be allowed to build an extension into our back garden.”