Chocolate Works Residents Association Newsletter
February 2026
Hello everyone. If it is not too late, I would like to wish everyone a happy new year.
Committee meeting
Attached is a copy of the minutes of the committee meeting held on 14 October 2025.
Social Committee
As you may recall we established a social committee and my thanks go out to the four volunteers for accepting the challenge. Since they took up this challenge they have organised two successful meets in the Old Liquor Store and a successful Christmas concert in Bayldon Square. In doing so, they have raised around £210 for the CWRA funds. Thanks to them all. I am sure that they would welcome further volunteers to join them so if you are interested please let me know and I can put you in touch.
Parking update
You have previously received the results of the parking survey. Gary Cole, the CWRA parking lead, Peter Lees and I met with Watson PM and Bay Sentry to discuss our next steps. We will be implementing a policy of visitors being allowed to park three times for 24 hours in any seven-day period. We are also in discussion with Bay Sentry about the introduction of digital resident and digital visitor parking permits. Our aim is to introduce digital parking permits as soon as possible. Digital parking permits will make it easier for residents to manage their parking spaces, reduce the issue of PCNs if parking permits are not displayed properly and prevent non-visitors from parking on the estate without permission.
We are meeting with Bay Sentry again soon to resolve and clarify some issues around the implementation of the new regulations and parking permit system and to agree the transition period. Once we have done this, we will send out full details, including the revised parking regulations to all residents not just members of the CWRA. Please keep an eye out for this. Because of GDPR, this information is likely to come from Watson PM.
Bishopthorpe Road boundary
We have made good progress on developing the options for the Bishopthorpe Road boundary and it is likely that we will consult with residents on the four potential options that the Committee have settled upon in May 2026. Please look out for details and further information in the next few months.
Website
We are continuing to work with our website designer to establish the new website. We are about to beta test the site. Once this is done, we will inform all residents of how to register and log on. It is intended that, over time, it will become a one-stop forum for all matters relating to the Chocolate Works.
Race days
The vice-Chair and I met with Phil Atkinson from the race-course to discuss the concerns that residents have with the behaviour of some race goers on race days. The discussion was very helpful. Phil advised us that City of York Council had devolved to the race-course responsibility for managing race day traffic. This will provide the race course with the powers and responsibility for road closures and temporary parking. We raised with them our concerns about traffic access to the estate, what additional facilities could be provided to reduce public urination, and how the revised traffic restrictions could be better aligned with the opening of the car parks. We also asked whether the CWRA could receive a small number of permits to allow residents to park in car park D (which is the car park next to the Chocolate Works). We are waiting for the race-course to come back to us with its decision. We are looking to have a further meeting with Phil Atkinson soon for an update. We will keep you informed.
Electric vehicles
Under the National Planning Policy Framework and the planning conditions imposed upon David Wilson Homes (DWH) by City of York Council (CYC) when granting approval for the development of the estate, it is our view that DWH should have installed a 13-amp socket suitable for electric vehicles in every phase two property. It has not done so. We are pursuing this issue with DWH and CYC. While it may be unrealistic to expect DWH to retrofit all properties there are actions that DWH could undertake to increase the provision of electric vehicle chargers. We will be pushing this issue hard.
Snagging
You may recall that we raised with City of York Council the fact that DWH was not complying with its planning conditions. CYC agreed with use and threatened an enforcement order on DWH. However, DWH has yet to implement the planning conditions. As a consequence, we are planning to undertake further action to try and force DWH to meet the planning conditions for the estate.
Landscape
I had a walk round the estate with Ollie Wheatley from Watson PM and Richard from Aspects Horticulture. The estate is generally in good condition with the exception of the missing and dead plants that DWH should replace. The flooding in Bayldon Square remains a concern. Richard believes that he has a low-cost potential solution to the flooding problem and we will look at implementing this later in the year. Because of the flooding in Bayldon Square, the tree that was placed there just over two years ago has died. Richard is struggling to identify a tree that will survive the current conditions affecting the ground there. Hopefully, if he can resolve the flooding issue it will be easier to identify a tree suitable for the square. Behind Medallion House there is a steep bank which is currently grassed. However, the grass was laid upon rubble and stones. It is therefore risky to both cut the grass due to the steepness of the slope and risky to property and people from the unintended spin off of stones when cutting the grass. The potential solution is to create a meadow flower bed for that part of the estate. It will not cost much, improve the views and reduce risk to people and property.
Roof Leaks
The replacement of the Cocoa House roof is now complete, and repairs to Hallmark House have also been completed. Repair work to the Neapolitan House roof is ongoing; however, the work carried out so far appears to be of a good standard.
More concerning is that a significant number of properties continue to experience roof and balcony leaks, and remedial works to these are still in progress. Residents are reminded to check for any signs of damp on ceilings—particularly in concealed areas such as wardrobes and behind curtains—and to report any issues to DWH at the earliest opportunity.
Anyone experiencing difficulties or requiring assistance should contact the Residents’ Association, who can provide help and advice.
Window Shattering
Some properties have experienced unexplained glass breakage, where one pane of a double-glazed unit cracks and crazes without obvious cause. While this does not generally present a safety hazard – as it does not usually result in falling glass or dangerous splintering – it is nevertheless inconvenient and costly to repair.
It is now believed that this issue arises from a manufacturing defect, likely caused by contamination during the glass production process. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that sufficient evidence can be gathered to successfully hold the developer liable for these defects.
Next year’s budget
Watson PM has begun its process for establishing the budget and charges for next year. They have promised to involve the CWRA. As ever our focus will be on keeping costs to a minimum while ensuring that Watson PM deliver its responsibilities.
Anti-social behaviour
The CWRA is aware of instances of anti-social behaviour and apparent criminality occurring in one of the apartment blocks on the estate. Residents within the block have raised their concerns with Watson PM but, unfortunately, Watson PM has failed to take sufficient action. Residents organised a meeting with Watson PM and representatives from the Committee. It is safe to say that residents were unhappy with the outcome of the meeting although a tentative potential way forward was identified. A follow up meeting with agreed actions for Watson PM to undertake before then was agreed. The Committee will be pushing Watson PM to resolve this situation.
However, it is likely that instances of anti-social behaviour will occur again in the future whether in this apartment block or elsewhere on the estate. It has become clear that there is a need for guidance for residents on what to do when anti-social events occur. We are developing this guidance but we are also going to approach the police (our local police community support officer) to seek their advice on how best we should manage this issue. This guidance should clarify what residents should do, how Watson PM should respond and where it is appropriate to involve the police.
Hopefully this guidance will be published soon but, in the meantime, it became clear from the meeting with Watson PM, that, unless you formally lodge an issue with Watson PM through its portal, then there is a real risk that the issue will not be picked up appropriately. The link is https://portal.watsonpm.co.uk/ but you will need to register with the link to be able to use it. If you have problems using the portal please let me know at chair@cwra.co.uk Thanks.
And finally
In February it is the Chinese New Year. So, to our members of Chinese heritage, I wish you a very happy Chinese New Year on the 17th February. xīn nián kuài lè. wàn shì rú yì