THE Government has given the final go-ahead for one of York’s biggest housing schemes - 1,100 new homes on the former British Sugar factory site.

However, as few as 33 homes have to be affordable under a compromise deal hammered out earlier this year between the company and City of York Council, because of the cost of remediating the contaminated site off Boroughbridge Road.

But the authority says considerable additional affordable housing is likely - while not guaranteed - to be provided later in the scheme, based on a fresh assessments at each phase.

A council spokeswoman said it welcomed the decision by the Secretary of State to set the new conditions, which would help to unlock the land site and other unused brownfield sites in the city.

She said that taking into account York’s emerging Local Plan and the Upper and Nether Poppleton Neighbourhood Plan, the Local Government Minister had said that allocating 20 per cent of affordable housing was 'reasonable' but had has recognised that delivering such a percentage would not be viable in the initial phases of development.

"So the recommendation is proposed that a minimum 3 per cent provision would be made, with additional affordable housing provided based on reassessment evidence for each phase."

The Press reported in January how the affordable housing deal had been struck after a public inquiry had started into non-determination of the scheme by the council.

Cllr Peter Dew, executive member for planning, said yesterday he was pleased that the Minister and the planning inspector have agreed with the negotiated planning conditions and a legal agreement to unlock the site which had lain derelict for over a decade.

“It is right that there is now a mechanism to allow it, and other unused sites, to be brought forward for development," he said.

“The change in position is significant. Over the period of its development, this site will deliver much-needed family and affordable homes from the outset.

"It is also likely - but not guaranteed - to achieve a policy-compliant 20 per cent affordable housing for the site as a whole.

“This move will help unlock other unused brownfield sites and help create the homes which York so urgently needs.”

A British Sugar spokeswoman said was 'very pleased' outline permission had been granted by the Secretary of State following the public inquiry process.

"This is a positive milestone in the regeneration of the site," she said.

"We are looking forward to continuing the necessary efforts to ensure that the new homes and community facilities at the site can be delivered at the earliest opportunity.”