New housing plan could open the door to new homes and jobs



Issued by City of York Council

Cabinet Members will be asked to consider plans for the construction of between 50 and 70 much-needed new council homes in York, at a meeting on 7 May 2013.

The New Council Housing Building – Phase 1 report sets out plans to help alleviate the acute housing need in the city by releasing £6 million from the HRA reserves and a further £1m commuted sum, to deliver up to 70 new homes to be built by summer 2015.

Six sites have been identified in York: Fenwick Street; Beckfield Lane; Chaloners Road; Hewley Avenue; Newbury Avenue and York Road, Haxby. One key site is the former Beckfield Lane waste recycling centre. Cabinet is being asked to allow a mix of council homes be built on it including 12 homes for sale on the open market to help offset costs to the public purse.

These proposals are outlined in the council’s Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan for the next 30 years. The HRA sets out in detail the council’s key priorities around council housing for the next five years, and includes the creation of an investment fund to support the delivery of more affordable new homes. This business plan fulfils the recommendations of the council’s Get York Building commitment coupled with the Local Plan which identifies suitable sites for building these homes.

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, Cabinet Member for Health, Housing and Adult Social Care said: “With nearly 5,000 people on the council’s waiting list and with so many pressures being placed on providing people with decent quality, affordable housing, as a council, our priority is to answer that need as best we can. By building homes for social rent and for sale on the open market we will not only subsidise the project but will help create a mixed and sustainable community.

“The plan which Cabinet will consider aims to give building in York a boost, create jobs in the local economy as well as address the needs of the more vulnerable in our community, will support them to avoid fuel poverty and enjoy the health benefits of well-heated and ventilated homes.”



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