Development begins on more than 300 homes at former chocolate factory
The first spade has gone into the ground at Latimer’s £83m GDA Cocoa Gardens development, in York.
Cocoa Gardens is the latest phase of Latimer’s work to regenerate the former Rowntree’s Factory site, which was established in 1890 and played home to some of the nation’s most loved confectionery brands including KitKat, Aero and Smarties.
It will see 302 homes built on the site of the former factory gardens. It follows Latimer’s transformation of the Rowntree’s Factory itself, which is being redeveloped to create 279 luxury apartments known as The Cocoa Works.
Over a third of the homes at Cocoa Gardens will be offered on an affordable basis, with 56 homes available through shared ownership and 54 through affordable rent. This complements the 84 homes available through shared ownership at The Cocoa Works.
Latimer is the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, the UK’s largest housing association and the principal contractor on the project is Lovell.
Homes England is a strategic partner on the scheme having awarded Latimer a £249.7m grant to support developments across the country through its Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26.
Councillor Joy Cullwick, Lady Mayoress of York, Cllr Michael Pavlovic, executive member for housing, planning and safer communities at York City Council and Cllr Peter Kilbane, deputy leader of the council and member for economy and transport at York City Council, gathered for a ceremony to mark the start of construction.
They were joined by Dilys Jones, assistant director, affordable housing growth at Homes England.
Cllr Cullwick said: “It’s fantastic to see the famous former Rowntree factory being redeveloped in a way which reflects the heritage and values that have long been associated with the site.
“This development will create a vibrant and inclusive new community and Cocoa Gardens and Cocoa Works will usher in an exciting new chapter for York.”
Cocoa Gardens will offer one to five-bed homes and apartments, with the first homes to be available in summer 2024.
Community amenities will include a concierge located in the refurbished Joseph Rowntree Memorial Library building, co-working spaces, a community shop, an on-site café and private working booths.
Richard Cook, group development director at Latimer said: “It’s tremendously exciting to be officially underway with construction at Cocoa Gardens – our next step in regenerating the iconic former Rowntree’s Factory and its grounds.
“Cocoa Gardens will make a huge contribution in creating a vibrant and diverse community at this iconic site, delivering quality, tenure blind homes as part of a sustainable development that will provide much-needed affordable homes for York.”
Robert Adams, regional managing director at Lovell added: “Over the last 50 years, we have forged relationships with local authorities all over the country, with a drive to provide affordable housing for those who need it.
“Working with communities as they transform themselves is at the heart of our vision and we are proud to be working on behalf of Clarion Housing at the Cocoa Gardens development.”
