A project to build 14 homes for disabled people and adults with learning difficulties in York has been approved ahead of a forecast rise in demand for specialist accommodation.

York Council’s Executive has given the go ahead to draw up designs for the homes in Lowfield Green, Acomb, at a cost of £480,000.

Labour Health Executive Member Cllr Lucy Steels-Walshaw said the homes would help keep people in their communities while also cutting the cost of accommodating them outside York.

Liberal Democrat Opposition leader Cllr Nigel Ayre said his group supported the project but wanted assurances on the agreed funding after the project was approved without a full business case.

It comes as councillors heard demand for specialist accommodation for people with disabilities, learning difficulties and autism is expected to increase in the coming years.

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The council estimates that the number of people with learning difficulties and autism is set to rise from 427 this year to 487 by 2039.

A council report stated an additional 30 supported housing spaces and five shared living spaces were estimated to be needed by 2039.

It added the Lowfield Green development would be the first step to giving the council more control over specialist housing and improving the lives of people who need such accommodation.

A review into the need for supported accommodation found the availability of places has fallen in York since 2018.

The report warned that without such developments more people would have to live in expensive out of area placements which would place significant pressure on the council’s finances.

That warning comes as the Executive also heard on Thursday that the council faces a forecast overspend of £3.4 million this financial year.

The project approved by the Executive on Thursday, September 12 would see 14 one-bedroom apartments with support facilities and communal spaces built at Lowfield Green.

The £480,000 approved for this stage of the project is set to cover legal, design and planning costs among others.

Councillors heard officers had received assurances that the project would be viable and it would continue to be monitored going forward.