Planners recommend approval for Chocolate Works homes

COUNCIL officers are recommending the approval of David Wilson Homes’ plans to build 229 new homes at the former Terry’s factory site in York when it meets next week.

Work on phase one of the housing scheme is already well under way and if approved by the City of York Council’s planning committee, the final phase of homes will comprise one and two-bed apartments and two, three and four bed houses.

Originally the manufacturing and administration headquarters of the chocolate makers, the Terry family, the site has laid derelict since 2005 but last year, Henry Boot and David Wilson Homes bought it. Henry Boot Developments is redeveloping the commercial sector and the listed factory buildings as part of a major commercial property scheme.

David Wilson Homes’ development director, Peter Morris: “There is a huge demand for new homes in York.  With uncertainty over the future of new schemes while councillors strive to agree a local plan, it is vital that we quickly develop brownfield sites like this to provide the new homes local people need. 

“We’ve worked closely with the council’s officers and the local community forum to address the concerns neighbours had voiced about earlier plans.  As a result, we have reduced the total number of homes, retained more trees around the site, increased the screening from existing dwellings and reduced the heights of some of the apartment blocks.
 
“We very much hope that councillors will approve our plans so we can make new homes available very soon.”