Residents in the New Earswick area of York can now share their views about proposed plans to deliver more affordable housing in the area.
The Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust plans to build 117 affordable homes, with residents benefitting from the garden village’s existing community facilities and having the option of social rent or shared ownership tenure. The homes, which will consist of two and three bedroom houses and one and two bedroom apartments, have been designed by Leeds based Brewster Bye Architects.
The public consultation is now open and provides local people with a chance to share their views about the connections and pathways that are being incorporated into the development, car parking, pedestrian access, proposed housing types, as well as building materials and design. In addition, residents are invited to voice their opinions about the recreational areas and green open space, which makes up a third of the site.
Ian Atkinson, the development project manager, from Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, said: “There is a major shortage of affordable housing nationally and this is particularly true in York. The Willow Bank project is the first part of our development strategy to deliver 1000 new affordable homes in the York area during the next 10 years. We propose to provide genuinely affordable, high quality homes that people will aspire to live in.
“This development will enable many more local people and families to live in York, in a house that they are proud to call home. It is an important initiative for JRHT so we are now reaching out to the local community for support and feedback and would urge as many people as possible to take part in this public consultation.”
Emily Cain from Brewster Bye Architects, said: “We’ve designed this development to offer a fantastic selection of houses in this popular part of York. We’re now inviting residents, businesses and other interested parties to share their views and help us shape and refine our plans.”
The public consultation closes on the 18th September 2020 - after this the feedback will be reviewed and when changes resulting from the consultation have been incorporated into the plans, a planning application will be submitted to City of York Council. Findings from the consultation will be shared with the local community.
The historic village of New Earswick was created by Joseph Rowntree in the early 1900s. It was a welcome alternative to the overcrowded and insanitary housing available to workers at the time, with its own facilities and generous open green space, and today it remains an inclusive neighbourhood with a wealth of community facilities for residents of all ages.
