Show home is opened at Derwenthorpe (From York Press)

Show home is opened at Derwenthorpe

9:21am Saturday 21st April 2012

A SHOW HOME has been launched for York’s new Derwenthorpe development – as builders revealed that 16 homes have already been bought “off plan”.

Thirteen years after the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust announced plans to build its 540-property model village on York’s eastern outskirts – and encountered sustained opposition from local residents concerned about loss of open space and extra traffic on local roads – guests had a chance yesterday to view the “sustainable, stunning homes of the future.”

Paul Newman, of David Wilson Homes, who are involved in building the first phase of the project, said it was never going to be easy, with unique and bespoke house designs, new construction techniques and pioneering new technologies.

“But we have got through the pain barrier and the result is here to see today,” he said.

“We have sold 16 of these new homes so far, without the benefit of anyone being able to see what they would be buying. Our first resident moves in next Friday. By the end of June, we should have around 20 of these homes occupied.”

Julia Unwin, chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, described the event as an “exciting moment ...a moment of real celebration.”