The final design of controversial plans for almost 300 homes on the edge of York is set to be determined next week.

The Planning Committee of City of York Council is recommended to approve at Reserved Matters stage a scheme for 280 homes west of the LNER Community Stadium in Huntington.

The move follows the government granting an appeal to Outline Plans from Barratt David Wilson Homes for 300 homes on the 11.6ha site last October.

The developer had originally applied to build the homes in March 2021, but that October, appealed to central government to determine the application, accusing City of York Council of taking ‘too long.’

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The government decision last October was greeted with anger by local councillors and political leaders, since they had opposed the development, saying the site was in the Green Belt.

A report by council planners for the Thursday (Sep 5) meeting says the proposals consist of a site layout, a masterplan and drawings of each house type.

The houses range from two to three storeys, with the layout revised following public consultation, including the development being moved further away from the Grade II-listed Huntington Grange, which does not form part of the scheme.

The homes are also no higher than two-storeys at the edge and no development is permitted over the (triangular shaped) public monument or Roman Camp on the eastern side of the site.

The report says Huntington Parish Council had no objection to the plans but public consultation earlier this year led to 38 letters against and one in favour.

Objectors said the houses were too close together, especially near Huntington Grade, leading to the plans, including the layout to be revised.

(Image: pic supplied)

They also said Huntington already had enough social housing.

Concerns were raised over disturbance as it was expected the scheme would take four years to construct.

The supporter noted the scheme featured homes no taller than three storeys and it having much open space.

The reserved matters application also details the range of 1-4-bed homes proposed, including how many are affordable.

The report said: “The accommodation mix is acceptably aligned with local need, predominantly providing two and three bed sized homes, as set out in the Local Housing Needs Assessment 2022.”

“Affordable homes are acceptably distributed across the site; these are identified on the site masterplan.”

Recommending approval, council planners concluded the scheme adheres to the plans approved at the outline stage. It  also promotes active travel and wellbeing, is distinctive in character, with suitable levels of amenity for residents, the housing mix is also appropriate considering local need.

Therefore, it met planning guidance from central government, including the National Design Guide. It was also consistent with local planning policy but conditions would be needed concerning landscaping.

Other matters had already been dealt with in the outline permission, their report also concluded.