Work is starting to prepare the former Willow House site in Walmgate, ready for building 36 Council homes early next year.
Planning permission was granted earlier this year for the 100% affordable home development: 60% at social rent and 40% for shared ownership.
The housing development sits alongside a £1 million investment to enhance the area inside Walmgate Bar. Besides the new affordable homes, this investment will reshape public open spaces to encourage community use and tackle anti-social behaviour, as well as improve local access and the Walmgate shopping parade frontage.
To prepare the housing site, the Council’s contractor F Parkinson Ltd will securely fence off the area. Their preparation work includes demolishing the former Willow House care home and a neighbouring garage block with dust and debris controls in place.
Work will take place between Monday to Thursday 7:30am–4pm and Friday 7:30am-3pm, with no works on Saturdays, Sundays and Bank Holidays.
As a considerate contractor, F Parkinson Ltd will aim to minimise disruption to local residents, and is writing to residents to keep them updated.
Residents can meet them and council officers and ask questions at three ‘meet the contractor’ drop-in events:
- Thursday 1 October, 1-4pm at York Explore Hungate Reading Cafe, Ground Floor, Bellerby Court, Hungate, York YO1 7AF
- Wednesday 7 October, 3:30-5:30pm and 6:30-7pm. Both drop-ins are at Show Space, 1st Floor, Spark on 17-21 Piccadilly YO1 9PB. The 6:30-7pm session will form part of the Guildhall ward meeting when information on Willow House and the Walmgate Improvement Plan will be shared alongside other regeneration projects.
All are welcome to come along.
When the social rent and shared ownership affordable homes are completed, they will be let in line with the Council’s local lettings policy.
This will mean letting to existing York residents on the housing waiting list, including to those council tenants opting to downsize and free up their existing homes for bigger households, and potentially also to those already living in Council or social housing nearby.
Cllr Dave Merrett, Executive Member for Housing at City of York Council, said:
“It’s great news to see progress being made on this scheme to bring social rent and shared ownership homes to the heart of the city for residents in need of affordable housing. All 36 homes will be truly affordable, will be well insulated and therefore lower cost to heat.
“We’re building them alongside wider area improvements to create a more accessible and welcoming environment for residents. I encourage local residents to find out more at our up-coming consultation on proposals for the South Walmgate area and to attend our contractor events”.
Steve Kenneally, Regional Manager NE for F Parkinson Ltd said:
"We’re delighted to be part of this project to bring more high-quality Council homes to the city. As a considerate contractor, we’re committed to work with residents to keep them informed of what work is coming up and what we’ll be doing to keep disruption to a minimum.
“If you live locally, please come along to our event with your questions which will be welcomed.”
Find out more about Willow House at https://www.york.gov.uk/housing/new-housing-delivery-project/6