Gas works redevelopment plans set for approval

The proposed redevelopment of a former gas works to create more than 600 new homes looks set to get the green light at a meeting later this week (12 March 2020).Moda, the Harrogate-based developer and operator of private rented housing, together with funding partner Apache Capital and developer North Star, is behind the plans for the Hemworth Grove project in York.Outline planning permission is sought to develop up to 625 homes on the site, with a mix of one, two and three-bedroom units. These would be spread across a number of blocks of up to seven storeys. Properties would be developed for rent and for sale.Amenities including shared lounges, health and wellness facilities, work space, dining areas, roof gardens and parking would be provided.Public realm works would also be undertaken, including new pedestrian and cycle links.The plans were submitted in March 2019 and the number of residential units was subsequently reduced from the 704 original proposed.The application will go before City of York Council’s planning committee on Thursday 12 March and is recommended for approval, subject to the signing of a Section 106 agreement, in an officer’s report prepared for the meeting.The report said the proposed development would comply with “economic, social and environmental objective” and there would be “no adverse impacts that would significantly and demonstrably outweigh the benefits”.The masterplan for the scheme has been designed by DC Architecture. The project team also includes re-form, O’Neill Associates, Montagu Evans, Cityscape, Dudleys, York Archaeological Trust, Fore, Surface, tate consulting, Wold Ecology, Barnes associates, Lithos and Royal Pilgrim.