Work begins at Derwenthorpe site (From York Press)

Work begins at Derwenthorpe site

9:43am Friday 3rd September 2010 in

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ONE of York’s biggest housing schemes is finally getting under way after City of York Council completed the sale of land at Osbaldwick to the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust.

The authority has received an additional £2.65 million for the Derwenthorpe site, on top of £3 million paid over previously, said council leader Andrew Waller.

He said it would also receive the first £2 million in profits from the 540-home model village scheme, plus a 50-50 share with the trust on any additional profits beyond that.

He said the money would go into the council’s general capital projects budget rather than being earmarked for any particular scheme.

A trust spokeswoman said it would start preparatory work on site later this month, and was aiming to start building the first phase of homes in spring next year, with the first being completed by early 2012.

News of the sale comes 11 years after the Derwenthorpe proposals were first announced by the trust, sparking more than a decade of protests and planning and legal challenges from local residents opposing the loss of green-belt land and concerned about additional traffic on local roads.

The last major obstacle to Derwenthorpe was removed earlier this year, when the European Commission said a council decision to sell the site to the trust without going out to open tender had not complied with EU public procurement rules, but decided not to refer the case to the European Courts.

The trust spokeswoman said this autumn’s preparatory project would involve conservation and ecological works but also the removal of some sections of hedges and three trees.

Boundaries needed to be made secure with new fencing for health and safety, legal and insurance reasons, and notices would go up asking people not to enter the site.

She said areas of grassland rich in different plant species would be transferred with heavy machinery to areas elsewhere which were being retained for conservation, enjoyment and education.

Coun Waller said: “After such a long period of delays and legal hurdles, it has been good to get this project back on track.”

Mark Warters, the chairman of Osbaldwick Parish Council and leader of the campaign against Derwenthorpe, declined to comment.

The saga of Derwenthorpe

1999: Plans unveiled.

2000: Public meeting unanimously calls for scheme to be abandoned.

2003: More than 800 residents sign petition calling for public inquiry.

2006: Inquiry hears strong objections.

2007: Government approves scheme.

2008: European Commission investigates council’s sale of site.

2010: Commission decides not to refer case to European Courts.