Severus Hill meeting, 18th November

Severus Hill. Image: York Explore Libraries and Archives

18th November, Poppleton Road Memorial Hall

The event was collaboratively organised by Holgate Ward Councillors Friends of Severus Hill, York Civic Trust and YoCo: York Central Co-Owned.

Note: These notes were published on 24th November as draft notes and will be confirmed after comments from those who attended.

Helen Graham, YoCo: York Central Co-Owned

Welcome and introduction.

Jenny Kent, Holgate Ward Councillor

The ward councillors were nervous following sight of sale board. Severus Hill has been owned by a Yorkshire Water sister company – Keyland Developments – since 2008. Planning has been difficult on the site – with the rejection of the last scheme following a local campaign. Keyland now just want to sell the site. Keyland have agreed pause to allow local discussion. Severus Hill will keep off the market until June 2024. Council has explored Tree Protection Order’s (individual trees don’t warrant individual Tree Protection Orders but canopy may do as a whole).

Haynes, Severus’ Hills, near York, 1736. Image: York Museums Trust

Duncan Marks, York Civic Trust

Geological history – the hill has glacial origins.

Emperor Severus came to York to address problem of Scotland. Dies in York (after four years in Scotland). His body was taken outside city walls, to the largest hill to be cremated. The ashes were then sent back to Rome. The pyre depicted on coin from the time. Severus is shown on marble statues as light skinned, but he was from Africa so he was dark-skinned.

The hill was known by a variety of names – Severs Howe (“hill”) and other variations.

During the English Civil War a battery was set up during the siege.

It is named as Severus’ Hills in a 1736 drawing by John Haynes.

In 1803, in fear of Napoleon invading, the hill was used as a site for “beacon of light” as a warning sign. The hill was known as Beacon Hill for a while and subsequently became a place for citizens and tourists (19th century) to look back on the city.

In the 1850’s water was piped to reservoir. The reservoir initially ran dry as people didn’t understand need to turn off taps after they’d used them. By 1905 13m gallons of water was being piped within city.

In the 1930 the reservoir was replaced by water tower holding 300,000 gallons of water – the largest tower of its time.

During World War 2 there was no evidence the water tower was targeted, but some bombs fell there. It is likely the bomb that fell on the hill did explode as there is an image of a crater.

In 2017 a proposal for 43 affordable homes was brought forward but refused.

Severus Hill has a history with lots of questions remaining, and lots of tensions and contradictions. There has always been a symbiotic relationship between the centre of York and Severus Hill.

A list of bird sightings by David Ryder

David Ryder, Friends of Severus Hill

In the 1970s cows, sheep and horses grazed on the hill. It was used as foot route and suffered misuse – eventually Yorkshire Water fenced and gated it. Then a change took place – the birds moved in, brought seeds and hence trees and undergrowth. A wide range of birds recently seen there.

The site has the potential for speculation, but David believes local action could prevent this with prompt action. If Severus Hill remains wild this would have benefits for bird life across broader city.

Discussion organised into themes:

What makes Severus Hill important?

·       It’s nature on your doorstep

·       It’s a place of education – four schools within walking distance – can the schools become involved? What might the specific attractions be to kids/schools?

·       Its history – the stories it tells

·       The views to and from it

Is there a danger it will be developed?

After the rejected housing proposal one councillor said they had “never seen an application rejected on so many points”.

Is there more recent pressure to build homes? Jenny Kent – York is well behind on targets but this area not designated for housing. Ruth Jennaway (Friends of Severus Hill) – noted “as a punt at £90k you wouldn’t need to build many houses”.

‘if one person bought it and sought to build a house on it, could they remove trees?’

Ecology

‘Has any survey work been done to identify what the ecological value of the place (or areas within it) is?’

‘It’s nature on your doorstep’

‘it is a SINC – a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation’ with rare wild grasses’

David – need for care. If there is any change, or wildlife will suffer.

‘An ecological survey would be a good starting point – can we educate the public? Possible funding for places for wellbeing etc’.

Wildlife and public access

‘It’s a lung in the city and community. The hill re-wilded itself – it wasn’t conscious choice. How do you balance that with public access’.

‘It’s a natural area – it would be decimated by housing. But what about less drastic use? There is no access at present’

‘Could it be open for some access? Example of Forest of Flowers near Huby – public access and some commercial activity, but focus on wildlife and biodiversity?’

‘Tracks on site are for checking water pipes. Outline of reservoir still exists, relatively flat top as a result’

‘How can it offer something to encourage support beyond the immediate neighbours?’

‘For those who see ideal scenario to be to keep it as is, the absence of public access creates a tension; who engages with it and what does it offer them? How much impact would access have – could we get expert view on this?’

‘Would lack of public access limit public support and opportunity for fundraising? Public access may build connections beyond immediate neighbours’.

‘The hill has a distinct character – very different glacial origins to others in the region, not a ridge, but one of a number of standalone hills’.

‘Is there a possible role of the schools?’

‘What about a nature trail?’

‘There is a spectrum from totally shut through to “park model” where there is open access. But in between there are models like New Earswick Nature Reserve.’

‘The current situation is at risk of change (purchase for housing etc) so currently an opportunity to buy for the community. But what does it have to offer? Maybe simply keeping as is would be enough, but maybe it needs to offer access (and require management) in return. Are there other models elsewhere?’

‘Mayfield Trust as example. Would the current access track be used for public access or would there be a different access (it is part of the sale land).’

Laurie from Yorspace outlined role in and ownership and governance for public benefit.

Summary of next steps:-

For the next meeting – likely in mid-December – we decided to:

·       Ecological survey: Get an ecological survey to document what’s there and where, and check impact public access would have on wildlife. Sightings of birds, foxes and other wildlife could be shared with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

·       Management options: Invite Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, St Nicks and Mayfield Trust to share their experience of ownership and management of wildlife spaces.

·       Fundraising and Governance options: Look at models and examples for funding raising. Invite Natural World Fund and Yorspace to talk about what they could offer.