Plans unveiled for 1753 new homes in proposed ‘Garden Village’ in York

Plans have been submitted for a new ‘Garden Village’ housing community in York, which could provide approximately 1753 new homes for the elderly, key workers and working families.

The Galtres Garden Village Development Company submitted proposals for the scheme to be included in the new Local Plan, which York Council will announce on 23rd January with a public inquiry due to start in May 2018.

The scheme is proposed be built on land to the north of the Northern Ring Road and Monks Cross. As well as more than 500 affordable homes, the scheme will include more than 290 retirement homes and a 64-bed care home.

Modern amenities will support this new settlement including a community hub, village green and recreation facilities, a school, surgery, shops and country park.

The scheme will offer mixed tenure housing with a variety of home ownership and rented options, and feature a varied selection of house types, from bungalows to larger detached properties.

If approved, this new village will provide affordable houses for local people by working in partnership with the Council’s new Housing Development Company and Homes England to help address the current housing crisis with homes that are needed the most.

York is currently under pressure from the Government to address a shortfall in the current Local Plan, which proposes 867 new homes every year until 2032.

Recent figures from the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) say the city needs 1,070, leaving a shortfall of more than 200 a year. Work on this new development can start immediately following planning permission being granted.

Martin Hawthorne of Galtres Garden Village Development Company, said: “The City of York is under immense pressure by the Government to address a significant housing shortfall, particularly for an ageing population and the lower paid.

“We believe that our proposal will contribute to addressing this shortfall and will help to ensure that the new proposed Local Plan meets the approval of the Independent Inspector.

“What’s different about our scheme is that we are inviting the Council to participate in the design, specification and delivery of the village so that the housing provision serves those that need it at affordable prices or arrangements. If included in the Local Plan, we are able to start the process immediately with land that is available now.”

The team is proposing to work closely with the Council to address traffic and congestion and maximise the benefits of widening the ring road in the area. It will use the A64 as a key access road encouraging traffic away from nearby Earswick and Huntington. Residents will also have easier access to facilities at Monk’s Cross.

Hawthorne continued: “Building in this proposed location takes the homes away from the ring road and uses land fronting North Lane near the A64.

“The new homes will be out of sight from existing villages of Huntington and Earswick and motorists using the ring road. This is not a case of urban sprawl; the new community will sit neatly in its own environment.

“At the heart of the designs is the Green agenda.The Garden village approach emphasises the ‘human’ nature of village life. Certainly, the green routes, pathways and wildlife will be central to the designs but so will the creation of the village facilities and transport links.

“These all work towards a self-contained community able to access services without making unnecessary journeys.”

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