Partnership Agreement signed for new York community
The Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the City of York Council announced the signing of a Partnership Agreement today, Monday 23 September, to develop the largely City owned land to the west of Metcalfe Lane, Osbaldwick.
The project intends to create a model housing development of 540 mixed tenure homes that will demonstrate how best to extend and build within existing communities.
The Agreement formalises the role of the Community Consultation Panel as a full partner on the New Osbaldwick Committee which will comprise twelve members - four representatives from the local community, the City and the JRF.
The vision includes the full integration of housing for sale and rent, all of which will be built to the same high standards.
The balance of tenure will be 350 homes for sale and 190 affordable housing of which a third will be low cost shared ownership housing.
All homes will meet the JRF Lifetime Home space standards and will have a flexibility that allows for changing requirements of the household and has the potential for home working and easy conversion of roof spaces.
The streets will be designed as ‘Home Zones’ to limit traffic movement and speeds and give priority to pedestrians and cyclists.
The housing will have energy efficiency targets above current requirements and opportunities will be taken to exploit solar energy technologies.
The development will have high Environmental Impact sustainability targets to minimise the overall impact on the local and wider environment. Initiatives will examine water saving measures and providing for the efficient recycling of waste.
Pylon lines currently passing through the site will be relocated underground or off site to provide an unaffected development.
The open spaces will be of a higher standard and more generous than most housing developments. It is planned that these areas will be managed through a community based management company.
Community facilities will be developed in the context of existing provision. An audit has been done and discussions will continue with service providers. Consideration is being given to the construction of a community building as part of the development.
Consultation with the local community and their involvement in the design development is an important aspect of the development commitment.
It is planned that the New Osbaldwick Committee will meet for its inaugural meeting at the end of November, and will meet again at the end of January with an outline planning application being submitted in March 2003.
We expect that construction work will start during 2004 if planning approval is given.
For further information contact:
Sue Everard (Press and Information Officer) 01904 615958
