'Lack of cheap housing is hurting businesses' (From Gazette & Herald)

'Lack of cheap housing is hurting businesses'

THE lack of affordable housing in Helmsley is hampering businesses in the town because staff are having to be employed from well outside the area, say councillors.

The town council has backed a request from Ryedale Housing Association (RHA) for it to be allowed to impose special restrictions on the sale of its houses to tenants which would restrict their re-sale to people with connections with Helmsley.

Councillors said that young people were unable to get on the first step of the owner-occupation ladder because of the high cost of property in the town.

Coun Lord Feversham said: "We are very short of affordable homes and none of the possible ideas have so far got round the problem."

Coun Jane Barker felt that more affordable housing in Helmsley would probably attract additional employment and businesses.

The council heard that many of the 600 homes built by RHA in the district had been sold to tenants.

The chances of Helmsley getting a bypass are virtually nil, the council believes.

Lord Feversham said: "We have always supported the possibility of one being built, but we were told as far back as ten years ago that it is a non-starter."

The council was commenting on a letter from a resident in Riccall Drive for the road to be upgraded. Members said that, in the long-term, it was likely the road would link with Saw Mill Drive when more homes are built in the area.

Police are to keep a watchful eye on the John Atkinson memorial playing field following a spate of vandalism which has seen fence boards kicked off and smashed by vandals.

Residents of Bridge Farm Close have complained of motorists parking in front of their driveways. Now North Yorkshire County Council's highways department is to paint "Keep Clear" signs on the road.

A team from the North Yorkshire Works Project, which re-trains unemployed people, is to carry out three projects at Helmsley. They will give a facelift to a nature reserve at the former railway station, clean out an old pond, plant a new hedge on the approach to the town from Sproxton and renovate the cemetery railings.

Tourists and residents are being urged not to feed the ducks in Helmsley beck after complaints that stale meat pies had been found and were likely to attract rats.

The council has agreed to explore the possibility of twinning with a European town after receiving a request to consider Samoens near Geneva.

The management of the Swan Hotel is to be asked to clear Northwood Yard in Canonsgarth Lane, because councillors say its appearance will damage Helmsley's chances in the forthcoming Britain in Bloom competition.

The below-par condition of the public toilets at Borogate and the Cleveland Way car park is to be brought to the attention of Ryedale District Council. Town councillors said they were concerned about the service contract for carrying out the work.

RoSPA is to be asked to carry out safety checks on equipment on the playgrounds at the John Atkinson Memorial playing field and The Limes. A wheelie bin is to be provided at the field for visitors' litter.

Helmsley is to be judged in the Britain in Bloom competition on the afternoon of July 15.

The town council is seeking planning permission for a six-rack cycle park outside the NatWest Bank in the Market Place.

The council is planning to merge the Feversham Memorial Trust and the John Atkinson Trust.

Updated: 10:07 Wednesday, July 02, 2003