City of York Council has moved a step closer to securing nearly £70m government-funding to assist in providing infrastructure support which will speed up the delivery of up to 3,800 new homes in the city.
Housing Secretary Sajid Javid has announced that both of York’s bids to the Housing Infrastructure Fund relating to developments at York Central and the creation of a new garden village at Clifton Gate have been approved and will now move to the final co-development stage of the competitive process.
The council has bid for £57m towards the complex infrastructure and access road which will open up the delivery of up to 2,500 homes on the York Central development. This would supplement the West Yorkshire Transport Fund money to deliver the bridge, spine road, and improvements in connectivity for vehicles, cycles and pedestrians.
At Clifton Gate, nearly £10m of funding would be used for vital access works and improvements, including an upgrade to Clifton Moor roundabout, new access roads tot he site, a subway for pedestrians and cyclists, and a pedestrian bridge. This would allow quicker delivery of the 1300 home site.
The Housing Infrastructure Fund is there to help deliver infrastructure projects which are essential to building significant numbers of new homes. CYC will now work with the Ministry for Housing Communities and Local Government and the developers on a detailed business case which will be assessed in the autumn before a final funding decision is made.
Councillor Ian Gillies, leader of City of York Council, said:
“This is fantastic news, and welcome recognition from the government of the Conservative-led administration’s efforts to speed up the building of good quality, appropriate housing developments in York.
“These two developments are a key part of our proposed Local Plan, and will make a big contribution to delivering the mix of homes - including affordable family homes - which York needs.
“Securing this funding will ultimately mean more of the houses York needs, built more quickly.”