As part of the Council’s commitment to increase the quantity and quality of homes in York, it is proposing to develop 93 new affordable homes on the city centre Castle Mills site.
Details are outlined in a report to Executive councillors being discussed next week.
Another Executive report will outline plans to provide additional pitches and improve all 61 existing utility buildings on York’s Gypsy and Traveller sites.
This city-centre Castle Mills site is sandwiched between Piccadilly and the River Foss, and higher than average build costs are expected because of land contamination, legal costs and flood prevention. The costs are planned to be offset by subsidies to restart this site, plus Right to Buy receipts, newly-announced Homes England funding and funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.
This follows on from the pioneering Passivhaus developments of 34 homes at Duncombe Square and 78 homes due to complete soon at Burnholme Green.
To support York’s Gypsy and Traveller community’s accommodation needs and to tackle the financial and health inequalities it suffers, York’s Local Plan – its long-term plan for how the city develops - has independently identified and evidenced the need for more caravan pitches.
Pitches include hard-standing for caravans and a utility block with a kitchen and bathroom, and connections to water and electricity. Rent is paid for each pitch. Some new pitches will be provided on existing Council-run sites, such as the one at Clifton, which may gain a further 6 pitches.
Just as Council homes across York are being installed with more energy-efficient measures, so the Gypsy and Traveller site utility blocks need them too. This could include additional insulation in the lofts, walls and floors, lower energy lighting, and more efficient heating and solar systems.
Cllr Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing at City of York Council, said:
High-quality, affordable and comfortable homes are essential for residents to thrive. It is our duty to provide suitable homes and communal facilities to eligible residents and to ensure inequalities such as high heating costs and poorer health are removed. These two reports provide clear and compelling cases to invest in more and better homes, in line with our Council Plan commitments.”
The reports will be discussed by Executive on 3 March at 4.30pm and can be read here.