Government to Make Final Decision on Green Belt Housing Project

A proposal for over 100 residences on a green belt location close to York has received approval, pending a conclusive determination from the government. According to developers Jomast and Together Housing, this project, situated on land east of New Lane in Huntington, targets individuals who have found housing in York increasingly unaffordable. The application drew 13 objections, which highlighted worries regarding the site’s flood susceptibility and potential traffic problems. While the plans gained approval on Thursday, the council indicated that the ultimate decision on the initiative rests with Angela Raynor, the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government. The proposals encompass a variety of residences, from two to four-bedroom units, alongside designated public open areas. Together Housing’s submission noted that only 461 new affordable homes were provided in York during the period spanning 2013 to 2019. It further stated that the net increase in housing supply over that timeframe amounted to 77, once homes removed via the Right to Buy scheme were factored in. As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the application acknowledged that flooding objections stemmed from the site being “susceptible to flooding”, and also recognized that “whilst acknowledge affordable housing is needed, it should not be on green belt”. Huntington Parish Council likewise voiced its opposition, advocating for the rejection of the plans due to concerns regarding road safety, specifically concerning pedestrians crossing New Lane. Proponents of the initiative, including the York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, emphasized the site’s proximity to existing amenities and public transportation networks. The planning application declared: “The housing will be offered with a period of exclusivity to local key workers in the city, such as NHS staff, social and care workers, school workers, civil servants, and emergency service workers.“The proposed scheme will help meet an existing and growing critical need for affordable housing in York.”