Greenbelt review at The Retreat
Doubts about City of York Council evidence base relating to defining Green Belt boundaries
Land owned by the Quaker mental health institution The Retreat is under a review into what areas should be granted greenbelt status in York.
The city council’s plans to designate certain areas as greenbelt were rebuffed in 2018 by the government due to what it called ‘intrinsic methodological flaws in drawing up the boundaries’. According to Savills estate agent, which is managing the sale of the land, the local plan identifies the Heslington Estate, where The Retreat is based, as being located within the York greenbelt. This would restrict certain kinds of development.
Savills made a submission on behalf of the mental health facility in 2019 saying: ‘We consider there are serious deficiencies in the City of York Council evidence base where it relates to defining the detailed Green Belt boundaries.’
Ian Holborn, chief officer for corporate affairs at The Retreat, told the Friend that the submission is part of a wider consultation on greenbelt designation in York. ‘The council is consulting with a number of places impacted by the greenbelt designation in the city. We are engaged in this consultation as we are expected to be. Our position is that we want to have a dialogue with the city council after the consultation. The council will have to resubmit their plans after the consultation and then we will have a discussion. The Retreat has already got a lot of protection because it is designated park and garden – the rest of the land is subject to review.’
Parts of The Retreat estate were put up for sale in 2020, as part of a major restructuring programme, with much of its facilities moving online. Bids from developers are now being submitted, to be considered in March. The ‘parcel of buildings’ up for sale include the main The Retreat building itself; Garrow House, which is adjacent to The Retreat; and the Cottage Villas.
Ian Holborn said that the board of trustees are very mindful of the Quaker history and accepting developments that are in keeping with its heritage. ‘The buildings are protected by being listed, as is the garden and park,’ he said.
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