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Dec 2020

Last Updated: 22/12/2020

Environment

Demolition of Bilton's Woodfield House set to begin in January

by Thomas Barrett

| 23 Dec, 2020

Site work to demolish the home and build 19 homes could last more than a year. North Yorkshire County Council's housing company was granted permission for the project last month but its proposals are controversial because they don't include any affordable homes.

Work to demolish Woodfield House care home in Bilton and build 19 flats could start in a fortnight and last more than a year.

A construction management plan submitted to Harrogate Borough Council says construction firm HACS will start the project on January 4 and continue for 55 weeks.

If the plan is approved, workers will be on site in Woodfield Square from 8.00am – 6.00pm from Monday to Friday and 8.00am – 1pm on Saturdays.

Access to the site is from Skipton Road via the Woodfield Estate.

North Yorkshire County Council's housing company Brierley Homes was granted planning permission for the project last month.

It has sparked controversy because none of the homes is classed as affordable.

This is because Brierley Homes applied for a Vacant Building Credit — a government mechanism to encourage vacant properties back into use, which can be used to remove the provision for affordable housing.

Instead, Brierley Homes will make a financial contribution of £72,528 to Harrogate Borough Council, which granted planning permission.

Henry Pankhurst, ex-chairman and current planning spokesman for Harrogate Civic Society, told the Stray Ferret he was not happy that all the new homes will be sold at market value with no provision for affordable properties, particularly as they are being built by a local authority.

Mr Pankhurst said:

“It’s very disappointing. I would have hoped North Yorkshire County Council would have recognised that Harrogate Borough Council has a difficulty in providing affordable housing. It’s an ideal location to have more affordable housing.”

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County council housing company accused of avoiding building affordable homes

Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive member for access, defended the company’s business model in a statement released to the Stray Ferret:

“Brierley Homes’ focus is on developing high-quality housing with the primary aim of generating an income to reinvest in supporting frontline services provided by the county council.

"This is a socially responsible approach and is something buyers see as positive, too. I believe that our taxpayers expect the county council to use its assets wisely and responsibly, as in this case. "

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Demolition of Bilton's Woodfield House set to begin in January

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