Severus Hill: What are our options? 16th December 2023

A map showing the different kinds of soil deposits in the Severus Hill areas as a result of the glacier and its retreat. Reproduced with the permission of the British Geological Survey © UKRI 2023. All Rights Reserved.

Severus Hill: What are our options?

16th December 2023, 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. These notes are published as a draft - any additons/amendments let Helen know on yocoinformation@gmail.com

Helen Graham, YoCo: York Central Co-Owned

Welcome and introduction

Jenny Kent, Holgate Ward Councillor

Jenny offered an update.

Keyland – sister company to Yorkshire Water – has offered a cost price £168k. This figure would mean they could recoup their costs. £95k was auction guide price only. Keyland are offering a community-based initiative an exclusivity agreement until June 30th 2024. This would give us until then to raise the money. It needs to be signed soon.

A visit to the site was arranged. This included Dave Powell from the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, who is currently writing up a report. A few points raised during the visit included that the calcareous grass need to be cut back. There are small yew trees, seeded by birds. There is ash which is likely to be affected by ash die-back. View was that biodiversity could be improved – the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust could aid with volunteer input and good management.

John Law from the Natural World Fund are coming to meeting. They are keen to help fund if there is community support. It will need core group of residents willing to set Friends of Severus Hill up as legal entity so it can handle money.

There was a question about the Water Tower. Yorkshire Water is retaining the tower because of masts and long leases. Andrew Morrison from York Civic Trust noted significance of the Water Tower (one of less than six of that type) and very much part of local landscape. It would involve a process of spot-listing if designation required.

The Glacial Origins of Severus Hill

Liam Herringshaw – a palaeontologist who lives locally – shared what is know about the origins of Severus Hill in the Ice Age.

Severus Hill was created by being at the end of a glacier; when ice retreats (15,000 years ago) we get terminal moraine and line of hills. Sandy or clay soils as a result. The area of limestone (and calcareous grass) was brought in when reservoir removed. You can read an extended version of Liam’s presentation here.

Comment from resident that they had seen a fox den, which shows very sandy soil (despite expectation of “boulder clay”). Liam noted that variations caused by different speed and routes of meltwater.

Discussion

We explored the alternatives to a community buy out. The likelihood is that planning would not be granted for a multiple housing scheme but question remains around potential for a single house or small number and retaining the rest. There is potential for small development with easy access to existing roads.

There was a question about existing planning consent on the site – Jenny had no knowledge of it but will follow up.

There was a question raised about broader interest (city-wide) in purchase – who is the “you” in “what do you want to do?” Next step is to broaden out the discussion. There was a discussion about the connection between public access and enabling a broader base of financial input from people who live across York. David noted conflict between “getting feet on the hill” to encourage support and local biodiversity. Andrew Morrison noted need for some access to respond to identified possibility of improving biodiversity. David noted problems of misuse which come with public access.

Holgate Windmill a good local example – can we use the model which was successful there?

There are people not present who are interested in being part of a group. In terms of communication Facebook group is very active.

John Law – Natural World Fund

John works for Forestry Commission and is involved in environmental improvements and funding. There is funding for Severus Hill available, potentially from DEFRA. Natural World Fund money comes from individual donations and subscriptions. Examples locally include a 45 acre farm plus water mill, and ancient woodland near Bingley at Goit Stock Wood. The Natural World Fund is already constituted as a CIC and could sign exclusivity agreement on behalf of the community. There would need local constituted body to then fund-raise and to be prepared to manage the site in order to take over from NWF. John Law has started discussions at Chief Excitative level with Kelda (who own Yorkshire Water) and Yorkshire Water about them providing money to buy the hill via Corporate Social Responsibility / carbon offsetting routes. John also suggested connection with RSPB. There would be a need to prepare an environmental management plan fairly soon.

Conclusion

Who is willing to be part of a group that takes forward constituting Friends of Severus Hill as a legal entity and exploring fundraising?

There were points made about ways of raising interest by projecting onto the tower/ posters/ leaflets.

There is a contacts list plus a second list for people to meet again. If you are interested in being part of the working group contact Cllr Jenny Kent on Cllr.jKent@york.gov.uk