Homebuilder launches £83m development at former chocolate factory

Developer Latimer has launched the second phase of its regeneration of the Rowntree Factory, in York.

A four-bedroom show home has now opened on the site offering the public a first opportunity to view the type of homes which will be available at the Cocoa Gardens development.

It coincides with the first phase of homes at Cocoa Gardens being released, with properties available to move into this summer.

Overall, Latimer is building 302 homes at its Cocoa Gardens development, 100 of which will be available for affordable tenures including shared ownership.

Latimer, the development arm of Clarion Housing Group, has already transformed the Rowntree’s Factory itself into 279 premium apartments called The Cocoa Works, with 30% of the homes available on affordable tenures.

Cocoa Gardens will see the land located behind the factory building turned into a new community featuring landscaped gardens as well as amenities and communal spaces including a community shop, café, flexible events space and concierge service.

Richard Cook, group development director, said: “The Rowntree’s Factory has an important legacy rooted in social value which Joseph Rowntree himself embodied through his philanthropy and forward-thinking attitude to workers’ welfare.

“We’re proud that Cocoa Gardens builds on these foundations, prioritising social value by delivering much-needed affordable homes that will make a huge contribution to this iconic site and create a vibrant, diverse, tenure-blind community.”