This new agreement aims to accelerate the delivery of the Council’s ambitious pipeline of new affordable homes and regeneration plans, leveraging the partners' multi-disciplinary expertise to benefit York residents and the city’s economy.
Cllr Claire Douglas, City of York Council Leader, highlighted the significance of the partnership in bringing together the necessary skills and capacity to realise the Council’s plans over the next decade. She emphasised a turning point in the Council's approach to delivering new homes, with a commitment to 100% affordable homes.
The partnership is expected to build approximately 300 new homes in its first phase, focusing on high-quality, low-carbon Council homes that are affordable to rent, buy, and run. Potential sites for new Council homes include Ordnance Lane, Willow House, Lowfield Green, Castle Mills, and the former Manor School site, subject to further approvals.
Beyond housing, the initiative will support wider regeneration objectives by redeveloping larger, complex sites, including public sector-owned land and significant brownfield schemes. A long-term Social Value Plan will also be delivered, focusing on education, skills, and economy priorities, including apprenticeships and job opportunities.
Councillor Dave Merrett, Executive Member for Housing at City of York Council, stated the commitment to increasing social rent and shared ownership homes. He noted that the partnership will 'reboot housing delivery on publicly owned sites' and highlighted the potential of the former Willow House site, emphasising the delivery of homes that are affordable to heat, buy, and rent.
Darren Jones, Senior Development Director for Cityheart, described the partnership's opportunity as 'hugely significant', aiming to create high-quality places that meet local needs and support economic growth. Alex Shillito, Regional Head of Land and Development at Willmott Dixon, added that the partnership combines ambitious vision with a focus on delivery, looking forward to creating lasting value across the city.
