THE GOOD OL’ DUPE OF YORK
I bet you thought this was going to be about Prince Andrew and all the shenanigans with the Spare.
Not at all. This story is a real scandal. It starts about the time of the coronation of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II – God rest her – in June 1953. A week earlier, Tenzing and Hillary had conquered Mount Everest.
The following year as if to celebrate these momentous events, the City of York adopted its Local Plan. Since then, it’s all gone quiet. For nearly 70 years, the City has had no local plan.
But at last, after all these decades, there is a glimmer of hope. Next week, the City’s Executive meets to consider modifications to the Plan to make it sound.
But hark! Lo! What’s this they hear? A messenger brings news from the South. Mole Valley has withdrawn its plan. And so have many others.
The Kentish Men, or is it the Men (and women and those who so identify) of Kent – good and true Liberal Democrats – have heard news from Michael of Gove that there shall be no more pressure on housing numbers.
York’s green belt is drawn as tight to the City’s boundaries as the proverbial duck’s bottom. And they’d like to keep it that way. But, at last, they seem to be shifting.
According the Council’s leadership, “this is a robust and sound plan, which will ensure York is able to deliver the housing, jobs, growth and facilities our city needs, whilst also protecting the city’s unique character, green belt and natural beauty”. A big ask.
But now they have the ideal ‘get out of jail’ card. Will they play it or not? York is run by a coalition of Liberal Democrats and the Greens (Yes Madam there are subtle differences between the two).
The temptation must be huge.
Perhaps the good burghers of York are waiting for a Sign like they had in 1953. They may be watching with keen interest the Coronation of King Charles in June and perhaps with this impetus, and as soon as a latter-day Hillary lands on Mars, they might have another local plan to last as long as the previous one.
Long live the King is the cheer from within the City walls.
Have a good weekend.
Tom