Plans in for transformation of former gasworks site

A planning application to regenerate the derelict former Heworth Gasworks site on Heworth Green in York has been lodged.

The nine-acre brownfield site will be transformed into around 700 new homes, a neighbourhood park, with landscaping and cycling and pedestrian links throughout the site.

The joint venture by North Star and Moda Living will feature a new ‘Build to Rent’ concept for York. Moda is an owner operator of private-rented housing, backed by Apache Capital, and North Star is a York-based development company.

More than 170 people attended a public exhibition at the Ark / Trinity Church on Monkgate last month while consultation will take place throughout the development process with meetings continuing with neighbours.

Plans have taken on board comments from the public – reducing the height of the buildings at the corner of Heworth Green and Eboracum Way, additional information on landscaping and design has also been incorporated.

Sitting vacant for over 10 years, the brownfield site will be transformed into a new residential community, with plans that could include retail space, café/community use and the planting of over 100 new trees, set around a neighbourhood park at the heart of the development.

The masterplan, designed by DC Architecture in conjunction with Re-form Landscape Architecture, will re-connect the existing surrounding communities, by adding public realm around Eboracum Way and Heworth Green and introduce pedestrian and cycle links. Vehicle access will be from the existing entrance on Heworth Green, with some servicing access from Layerthorpe.

Subject to consent, plans include 450 homes designed for rent that Moda will own and operate for the long term, plus around 250 homes that will be developed by York-based North Star for sale.

Moda will also provide over 20,000 sq. ft. of on-site amenity space, including shared lounges, health and wellness zones, communal work space, roof gardens with views of York Minster and indoor/outdoor dining areas.

The Moda apartments will be a mix of sizes ranging from studios to three-bed homes, with secure long-term tenancies of up to five years on offer.

This will be Moda’s second scheme in Yorkshire, with proposals to develop 515 homes for rent at SOYO Leeds, a key part of the the cultural district in Leeds city centre. It will be the firms’ tenth planned scheme in the UK.

Tony Brooks, managing director at Moda, said: “Plans have been well received with 93% of the public keen to see the site brought forward.”

“Our aim is to create a landmark building coupled with exceptional public realm that adds to the existing community – creating a socially connected neighbourhood. Moda will provide a unique rental concept for York – providing high quality accommodation alongside first class, institutional design.”

“With our partners Apache Capital we have a proven track record of delivery, with developments underway across England and Scotland, and we are committed to delivering the site with our partners North Star.”

A spokesperson from North Star, added: “We were very encouraged with the feedback during the consultation with virtually everyone wishing to see this large brownfield site brought back into use after many years.

“Key issues at the consultation was the regeneration of the site, links through the site, as well as questions on traffic and parking, as we expected.”

“Unlike previous failed attempts at delivering new homes on this site, this application will enable the complex and costly remediation to take place and create a fantastic new place to live, in a sustainable location close to the City Centre.”

Over the past 13 years various planning permissions have been granted to provide new homes on the site but none have been viable or deliverable.

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