Contractor appointed by council to develop 140 homes
City of York Council has contracted Wates Group to build 140 homes, with local residents invited to meet the developer ahead of construction starting next month.
Wates will build the homes on Lowfield Green. This is the first of eight sites included in City of York Council’s biggest house-building programme since the 1970s.
Neighbours of the site have been invited to meet the Wates team who will answer questions on the site, timelines, hours of working and will be available to answer questions throughout the build. Residents have been invited to drop-in on 19 November at Acomb Parish Hall, Front Street from 3.30-7pm.
The landscaped site will feature over an acre of open, public space. Around it will be built starter and family homes, wheelchair-accessible bungalows and apartments for over-55s.
40% of the homes will be affordable – over twice the minimum planning requirement. Half will be council housing and the other half will be for shared ownership. In addition, the site includes six self-build plots with services provided and a community build by YorSpace providing 19 households the chance to have their own home.
Councillor Denise Craghill, executive member for housing and safer neighbourhoods for City of York Council, said: “We are committed to building high-quality homes at Lowfield Green and are delighted we have secured Wates to build them. Their reputation for well-built homes matches our ambition as does their commitment to sustainable construction.”
David Wingfield, business unit director of Wates Construction North East and Yorkshire, said: “Our growing portfolio in York is a testament to our reputation as a trusted and expert contractor across a diverse range of sectors and to our close network of supply chain partners in the city and the wider North Yorkshire.
“Our team has worked closely with City of York Council to scope the Lowfield Green construction programme and ensure that this important new development is delivered efficiently and to an uncompromised standard for the people of York.”
Throughout construction work, Wates has committed to providing opportunities for employment and training for local people. These include work placements, apprenticeships and traineeships as well as career guidance for students.
The project team includes cost and project management by Turner & Townsend, architecture, landscape architecture, structural engineering and acoustics by BDP, and civic engineering and highways engineering by Curtins.
