Plans approved for transformation of former care home site
Plans have been approved for a residential development on the site of the former Grove House care home in York.
Easingwold-based developers Caedmon Homes had submitted proposals for 29 apartments, with prices ranging from £120,000 to £450,000.
The one, two and three-bed apartments, including affordable homes and studios, will be brought to the market later this year and will be available for occupation in the next spring.
The City of York Council has just approved the fine details of the development with Caedmon Homes, part of the Norstar Real Estate Group.
Paul Brown of Caedmon Homes said contractors Pacy and Wheatley of Doncaster were already on site.
He said: “This is a very exciting development, which will add to the excellent reputation of the Groves as one of the city’s most popular residential areas. We are delighted that the City of York Council has approved our plans.
“We believe it will be especially attractive to first-time buyers, who are hoping to get a foothold on to the property ladder and to couples or people looking to downsize or retire.
“The development is clearly aimed at owner-occupiers. We are very aware of the history of the Groves as a prime residential location in York and our development will complement this.
“The affordability of the homes is a very important element of this project and we have linked up with the Halifax who can offer preferential mortgages. Combined with the Government’s Help to Buy initiative, we trust that a number of young professionals will be able to become home-owners for the first time.”
Rufus Salter of Caedmon Homes added: “The original consented scheme consisted of 31 apartments, most of which were one bed units. This was based on our experience at Foss Place in York, whereby we saw high demand of this type of apartment for first time buyers and investors.
“We have sought to amend the scheme to provide a lower number of units, 29 but in doing so have amended the mix of unit sizes to respond to changing market demand and local demographics.
“The current mix provides a mix of studios, one bed, two bed and three bed apartments, which we believe will provide broader appeal to a wider range of the market.”
Grove House was closed by the City of York Council in 2016 as part of a major overhaul of older people’s accommodation in the city.
A council spokeswoman said: “The site is both financially valuable and strategically important, lying just outside the city walls in a largely residential area.”
