Henry Boot starts on £80m York Cocoa Works site

Henry Boot Construction has started work on The Cocoa Works site in York after being appointed main contractor for the £80m scheme by Clarion Housing Group’s development arm Latimer.The scheme to transform the former Rowntree factory on Haxby Road in the centre of the city will deliver 279 apartments, of which 84 will be available for shared ownership.The historic site was home to the Rowntree factory from 1890 and had over 6,000 employees by the 1920s, producing world-famous confectionery brands.Latimer’s plans for the eight hectare site, which has been derelict for more than a decade, will ensure original features of the building are celebrated and incorporated into designs.The old Joseph Rowntree Memorial Library will also be refurbished, providing a character-filled community space that will be home to a concierge service for residents and a private working space.