Derwenthorpe
Coordinates: 53°57′36″N 1°02′19″W / 53.959906°N 1.038749°W
Derwenthorpe is a housing development situated approximately 2 miles to the east of York city centre which is adjacent to Osbaldwick, Tang Hall and Meadlands. The design and planning for this new estate was undertaken by the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust (JRHT) and the building contract for all 4 build phases has been awarded to Barratt Developments (under the brand name "David Wilson Homes").[1]
The original name of "New Osbaldwick" was dropped in favour of "Derwenthorpe" in 2004 in reference to the Derwent Valley Light Railway that used to run through the site.[2]
Environmental aims
All homes built will meet or exceed the Code for Sustainable Homes level 4 standard and include features such as MVHR in order to reduce energy consumption.[3] Hot water and central heating is provided by means of a district heating biomass furnace system which is housed in the "Super Sustainable Centre" in the middle of the site.[4]
Awards
The development has won a number of awards for both design and build, including:
- Civic Trust Award, 2014 for Phase 1 [5]
- Housing Design Award, 2013 (completed category) [6]
- What House? Awards, 2013. Silver awarded in the "Best Development" category [7]
Controversy
A number of objections to the development were raised based on environmental and wildlife concerns.[8] However most of these concerns were determined to be unfounded in an expert report which was commissioned by JRHT.[9] Local residents submitted a petition in opposition to the development and, as a result, a public inquiry was conducted. Ultimately, the development was referred to the Communities and Local Government department for approval but the development was given the go-ahead in May 2007.[10] Work on the first phase and infrastructure began in late 2010.
Transport
Between 1913 and 1926 Osbaldwick was served by a station on the Derwent Valley Light Railway.[11] This line remained open to freight until 1981 but has now been completely dismantled. Sustrans National Cycle Route 66 now runs on the former track bed which bisects the Derwenthorpe site.[12]
The site is currently served by the Number 6 bus service[13] which runs between the University of York and Clifton Moor but there are plans to create a new route featuring new zero-emission electric buses in future.[14]
References
- ↑ "JRHT appoints David Wilson Homes". Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ↑ "New name for York's new homes scheme". The Press. Retrieved 12 February 2004.
- ↑ "Derwenthorpe Project Management". Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ↑ "About the Super Sustainable Centre". Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ↑ "Derwenthorpe Phase 1 Civic Trust Award". Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ↑ "HDA 2013 WINNING SCHEMES > Completed Winners". Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ↑ "What House? Awards 2013". Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ↑ "Experts tell Derwenthorpe inquiry that scheme would be devastating to wildlife". The Press. Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ↑ "Summary of Evidence. Biodiversity (Nature Conservation)". http://planningaccess.york.gov.uk/. 31 May 2006.
- ↑ "Planning permission granted for ‘Derwenthorpe’ - new community east of York". Joseph Rowntree Foundation. Retrieved 10 May 2007.
- ↑ "Disused station". Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ↑ "Sustrans Route 66". Retrieved 1 March 2013.
- ↑ "Route Map". Retrieved 5 June 2014.
- ↑ "Press Releases York successfully bids for £824k funding for nine electric buses". Retrieved 5 June 2014.