David Wilson advances York homes

Close to 140 homes at a Green Belt site next to Wheldrake’s Millfield industrial estate, where housing had previously been refused, are lined up for approval with officers noting the volume of affordable homes and the proposed landscaping.

Approaching half of the homes at the site are proposed as three-bedroom houses, at 65, with 29 two-bedroom and 37 four-bedroom homes also included, along with eight one-bedroom homes.

Approval is recommended locally, although the plans would need to be referred to the Secretary of State, being green belt. Significant Section 106 contributions are also requested.

Plans for the site’s western part were refused in 2000, a decision upheld at appeal.

Since the David Wilson proposals were submitted in October 2021, alterations have been made, most significantly the total number of homes coming down from 150.

Within that, the number of one and two-bedroom homes has climbed at the expense of four-bedroom houses, of which there would have been 48 under the original scheme.

The 11.6-acre site is allocated for housing, with an expected total of up to 147 homes.

There has been much to discuss, according to the planning officers’ report for committee: other changes include the removal of a sustainable drainage basin and pumping station from the park area and a reorientation of homes along the south elevation so they face the fields with a road/path to the front.

Negotiations have also taken place around access to healthcare and schools, the capacity of the A19/A64 junction, public transport and the relationship with the adjacent industrial estate – a presence which stymied the 2000 project.

David Wilson’s plans are policy-compliant on affordable homes: the requirement is 30% for a greenfield site, which is met through 42 affordable homes proposed, comprising six one-bed, 19 two- bed, 14 three-bed and 3 four-bed homes.

Of these, 80% will be social rent and 20% will be discounted sale homes, in accordance with the council’s policy expectations.

Officers conclude that “the proposed development would provide new housing of a scale and form appropriate to the established layout of the village. The village is made up of a historic linear centre with modern estates developed to the north and south. The proposed development is consistent with this.

“The layout and housing style, though of an ‘estate type’ character includes elements that reflect the historic core of Wheldrake including the use of appropriate materials and the provision of landscaping and verges to the fronts of many homes.”

City of York Council’s planning committee will consider the application next week, with the plans available to view at 21/02283/FULM.