'Affordable' residential development approved for York district

Plans have been approved for a residential development on the site of the former Grove House care home in Penley’s Grove Street, York.

Easingwold-based developers Caedmon Homes had submitted proposals for 29 apartments, with prices ranging from £120k to £450k.

The one, two and three-bed apartments, including affordable homes and studios, will be brought to the market later this year and will be available for occupation in spring 2019.

The City of York Council has just approved the fine details of the development with Caedmon Homes, part of the Norstar Real Estate Group.

Paul Brown, of Caedmon Homes, explained that contractors Pacy and Wheatley of Doncaster were already on site. He commented: “This is a very exciting development, which will add to the excellent reputation of the Groves as one of the city’s most popular residential areas.

“We are delighted that the City of York Council has approved our plans. We believe it will be especially attractive to first-time buyers, who are hoping to get a foothold on to the property ladder and to couples or people looking to downsize or retire.

“The development is clearly aimed at owner-occupiers. We are very aware of the history of the Groves as a prime residential location in York and our development will complement this.

“Combined with the government’s Help to Buy initiative, we trust that a number of young professionals will be able to become home-owners for the first time.”

York was recently named as the best place to live in Britain by The Sunday Times, due to its popular heritage.

The newspaper described it as a mini-metropolis with cool cafes, destination restaurants, innovative companies - plus the fastest internet in Britain. Places were ranked on factors including jobs, schools, local shops and broadband speed.

Rufus Salter, of Caedmon Homes, added: “The original consented scheme consisted of 31 apartments, most of which were one bed units.

“This was based on our experience at Foss Place in York, whereby we saw high demand of this type of apartment for first time buyers and investors.

“We have sought to amend the scheme to provide a lower number of units, 29 but in doing so have amended the mix of unit sizes to respond to changing market demand and local demographics.

“The current mix provides a mix of studios, one-bed, two-bed and three-bed apartments, which we believe will provide broader appeal to a wider range of the market.”