Plans for 300-home development to be built on part of the former Rowntree site in York are being recommended for approval.
Dubbed Cocoa West, the Nestlé south site is in Wigginton Road, next to the former Rowntree Almond and Cream factory buildings.
Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, wants to demolish the gatehouse and build 118 apartments and 184 houses, along with a creche.
The majority of homes will be two and three bed and Clarion, an affordable housing provider, has said its intention is to make 36 per cent of homes affordable overall, with a mix of social rent and shared ownership tenure.
The scheme for re-development of the east side of the site already has approval and refurbishment of the factory buildings is due to start shortly.
And council officers are recommending that Cocoa West gets the go ahead – councillors will decide at a planning committee meeting next week.
Joseph Rowntree acquired the land in 1890, constructing a factory which made cocoa and gum products.
In 1899, a further 31 acres were purchased to expand the fruit growing capacity of the factory. The site, which benefited from its close proximity to the railway, became the consolidated headquarters for Rowntree’s in 1907.
Just three objections
York Civic Trust welcomed some elements of the plan but said it could not support it unless the number of car parking spaces is reduced from 284 to “an absolute maximum” of 150.
The trust said: “The number of spaces is excessive and incompatible with the council’s target of carbon neutral by 2030.”
A link to the nearby Sustrans route will be created to encourage walking and cycling.
Cocoa West would have two central open spaces, one hard-surfaced and one greener area.
Two pocket parks have been introduced into the scheme on the east side of the site at the request of the council.
The houses would range from two to three storeys high and the tallest apartment buildings would be six storeys high.
Just three members of the public have contacted the council with objections.
The council is seeking contributions from the developer of £158,000 for off-site sports and more than £1.5 million for early years, primary and secondary education in the area.
Councillors on the planning committee will consider the application on Thursday, with officers recommending it is approved.
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