Housing Delivery Programme progresses and more affordable homes to be built

Councillors have agreed proposals to deliver further zero carbon Passivhaus homes and increase the number of affordable homes at Ordnance Lane, start detailed design work at Walmgate, and add homes to the highly-successful Lowfield site.

Councillors have agreed proposals to deliver further zero carbon Passivhaus homes and increase the number of affordable homes at Ordnance Lane, start detailed design work at Walmgate, and add homes to the highly-successful Lowfield site.

To date, the council’s Housing Delivery Programme (HDP) is in the process of delivering 472 homes. Of these, 363 are being delivered by the council at Lowfield Green, Burnholme Green, Duncombe Square and through the Second-Hand Shared Ownership scheme, of which 64% are affordable. A further 109 homes are being facilitated on smaller schemes including self-build plots and community housing schemes.

The council’s next scheme at Ordnance Lane has planning permission for 85 zero-carbon in use homes.  Grant funding of £2.43 million has been secured to prepare the site for construction and an application for grant funding to increase affordable homes on the site from 40% to 60% is also being proposed.

Following initial consultations with residents in Walmgate, it has been agreed to proceed with further design work and further consultation for more zero carbon, affordable housing on the site of the former Willow House. The plans propose the inclusion of some garaging in the nearby area to enhance the design and to increase the number of affordable homes.

Over 100 homes are now occupied on the popular and award-winning Lowfield Green site. Plans for the two remaining vacant plots will be progressed to deliver more affordable and accessible homes on the site, and to deliver further homes designed for people aged over 55.

Councillor Denise Craghill, Executive Member for Housing and Safer Communities, said: “The Housing Delivery Programme is making great strides towards achieving our ambitious vision and on track to deliver more than the 600 new homes targeted.

“Funding has been secured for over 60% affordable housing – that’s three times planning policy levels - at our first two Passivhaus sites, with a similar level of affordable housing likely for Ordnance Lane, which has secured planning permission and over £2.4m grant funding for enabling works. Our Second Hand Shared Ownership scheme has supported 65 households into affordable homes with another 40 now underway.

“The number of prestigious awards won alongside overwhelmingly positive resident feedback reflects our commitment to excellent place making and the fact that our programme is effectively meeting local housing needs, delivering social value and helping to tackle climate change.”

The Council’s Executive met on Thursday 9 February at 5:30pm to discuss the report. The outcome is at https://modgov.york.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?MId=13295&x=1 .