Plans for a block of 48 new flats to be built on a former NHS site in York have been approved.
The scheme will see builders demolish Cherry Tree House in Fifth Avenue in Tang Hall and build new apartments on the land next to St Aelred’s Church and community centre.
The building was previously an NHS residential care facility but it closed after the new Foss Park Hospital opened and the site now stands empty.
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The new flats will be one and two bedroom homes and will be marketed to first time buyers. There will be three two-storey blocks and the development will have 32 parking spaces – including two disabled bays and two electric vehicle charging points.
Cllr Mark Warters said he is “pleased to see something on this side of the city for residents” – but asked that trees be planted at the front of the development and that red bricks are used to help the building fit in with its location.
He also asked for a plan to manage construction traffic at the site.
Cllr Martin Rowley praised the developers for consulting with the community and added: “I think it’s an excellent application.”
First time buyers
But Heworth councillor Claire Douglas questioned the lack of affordable housing.
None of the flats will be classed as affordable housing and the amount of cash the developers have to put towards affordable homes to be built elsewhere in the city is reduced, due to a national policy that means the contribution is lower if developers are bringing vacant building sites back into use.
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She told the developers: “I would like to ask you to forgo that credit and deliver the full affordable housing allocation of nine units.”
But Killian Gallagher, speaking for the developer, said the flats will be for first time buyers and “not for London people moving up to York”.
He said the developer’s other schemes have provided homes at around £132,000.
Cllr Tony Fisher said: “I think this is one of the best applications we have had in York for quite a while.” He added that it caters for the market of people needing one or two bedroom homes.
The plans were approved.