The Council will consider creating a new strategy, and securing a new strategic delivery partner to deliver high quality Council buildings including homes for social rent.
This new Delivery Strategy has been developed to support the Council’s Housing Delivery Programme (HDP) of building homes for shared ownership and social rent.
By streamlining procurement procedures, delivery and management into a programme wide structure, consistent governance, performance management, and quality assurance will be consistent and rigorous across all projects.
Further to successful schemes at Lowfield Green, Duncombe Square and Burnholme Green, over 300 new homes which will be genuinely affordable to rent, buy and run will be delivered by the Partner. They will be built on Council-owned land at Ordnance Lane, Castle Mills, Willow House, Lowfield and the old Manor School site.
To accelerate these homes which will be genuinely affordable to rent, buy and run, it’s proposed to update the Council’s building design manual to reflect Homes England’s Healthy Homes Standard. This high-quality, industry standard builds to Energy performance certificate (EPC) A performance. High levels of insulation and solar PV panels reduce energy costs and lower long term maintenance and repair pressures.
The proposals state that a clear, long term pipeline of building should improve market confidence and attract contractors and supply chains.
The Delivery Strategy also provides the opportunity to create a significant, long lasting social value legacy for York. A bespoke, city focussed long-term Social Value Plan will align with the Council’s priorities - including education and skills and economy. It will be funded by the Delivery Partner and extend beyond the construction period.
Cllr Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing at City of York Council, said:
“This highly ambitious Delivery Strategy will bring certainty for the council and residents over the coming decade.
"It is essential for our planning, funding and building the high-quality affordable homes and facilities that residents need. It responds to funding conditions and pressures, while aligning with our existing commitments and aiming to accelerate and de-risk delivery.
“York Central shows us what effective partner working can make happen, and this progressive strategy will build on that.
“The move to build to Healthy Homes Standards is a pragmatic response to current market and financial conditions. It will allow us to maintain the pace and scale of building 100% genuinely affordable homes while maintaining high environmental performance. Its impact is expected to be significant, and will create a lasting legacy alongside the much-needed buildings it will deliver.”