British Sugar is taking significant steps forward with one of York’s largest housing schemes, seeking final approval for up to 1,100 homes at the 39.54-hectare site at Plantation Drive. The development, which has been in the planning stages for several years, has now been outlined with a new timetable, projecting the final homes to be ready by 2034/35.

The site, which once housed a sugar beet processing factory that closed in 2007, has been vacant since 2008. Landowner Associated British Foods first announced plans to redevelop the site in 2013, and central government has already given outline consent for the development.

The project includes not only housing but also green infrastructure changes, revisions to development zones, land uses, urban framework, and building heights. The latest Section 73 application seeks to vary the existing outline masterplan permission and reflect changes to the remediation of the site.

The development is part of a broader effort to provide quality and affordable housing in York, with the planning inspectorate approving outline plans in 2018 that included 33 affordable homes. Further approvals were given for access roads and land reclamation, and groundworks began in February 2023.

British Sugar has engaged Rapleys LLP to undertake an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Scoping Report to support the application. The report has evaluated the local environment and the prospective impact of the redevelopment, and further environmental information has been submitted to the council.

The development represents a significant opportunity for York, transforming a long-vacant site into a vibrant community with housing, green spaces, and more. The planning decision is expected in January 2024, with site preparation and remedial work projected to begin in April 2024. The development of the whole scheme is planned for completion by 2034/35, marking a new chapter for Plantation Drive and contributing to the city’s housing needs.