800 homes plan disheartens York councillors and locals

York councillors and residents feel dismissed by proposals that have been submitted to build 800 new homes which have failed to consider their views.

Developers David Wilson Homes, Barratt Homes and Vistry Group have recently submitted plans to York City Council to build 800 new homes – of which, 30% are claimed to be affordable. 

A recent report from North Yorkshire and York Housing Board states under half of the required affordable homes are being built in the city however, developers claim their proposal can deliver this need.

With plans to build the properties in Haxby, a town just outside of York, developers have also said they want to provide better access to nature. The organisations have claimed they will be keeping the existing cycling and pedestrian routes linking into the site.

Additionally, several areas of the site in Haxby have been identified to create public open spaces including children’s play areas and sustainable urban drainage systems.

A green buffer – an area of land designated for environmental protection – has also been included from properties south of the development and refined to ensure the development remains within walking distance to encourage sustainable travel into the centre of Haxby.

However, after residents and councillors reviewed the plans submitted to the council, authorities claimed the proposal included ‘thousands’ of pages but it was difficult to pinpoint any changes that were suggested by them. A particular concern lies with covering too much green space with housing.

Haxby and Wigginton Lib Dem Councillor, Andrew Hollyer, said: ‘We remain concerned about the reduction in the level of green space proposed to the south of the site, the lack of space to extend the cemetery, as well as issues with local highways infrastructure.

‘Crucial wider issues such as the impact on the GP surgery, and transport are slightly glossed over in the reports – which state they’ll be resolved later.

‘We are encouraging residents to respond to City of York Council with their views on the application – so that they can be taken into account.’

Photo by Emma Houghton