Hundreds of homes planned for York as part of £9.2m scheme

Increasing the number of quality, affordable homes was a key priority, council bosses said

Funding to build almost 500 homes in York has been secured as the city prepares to be run by a metro mayor with the rest of North Yorkshire.

Under the region's devolution deal, the combined authority will oversee major projects including transport, education and housing schemes.

Almost 400 of the homes will be built at a former gas works site in Heworth.

The remainder would be built at other locations across the city, council officials said.

A total fund of nearly £9.2m will pay for nine schemes, including 252 affordable homes, across York and North Yorkshire, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

'Key priority'

City of York Council leader Claire Douglas said: "It is so important to us that York not only has the number of homes it needs but that they are at prices that people can afford and are both for sale and to rent.

"Increasing the supply of good quality, affordable housing is a key priority for us."

She said the authority was making "good progress on our own housing delivery programme" and the funding for York and North Yorkshire meant more quality, affordable homes... for the city and wider region".

North Yorkshire Council leader Carl Les added: "It is another indication of the benefits that are being realised ahead of the proposed devolution deal for York and North Yorkshire, bringing in additional funding from the government to help to address some of the biggest issues which we face."

An election for a mayor for the region will be held on 2 May 2024.