James Newton, of Yorspace, wrote us a guest blog letting us know the latest on a new exciting community housing development happening in Acomb very soon.

Run by active volunteer members, YorSpace is a local housing developer with a difference. They are working towards creating affordable homes in York, by enabling residents to do it themselves; building housing, and communities, that have economic, social and environmental sustainability at their core.

Here’s what he had to say:

YorSpace will hear whether they have secured detailed planning approval for their proposal to deliver York’s first sustainable co-housing community at Lowfield Green, Acomb next month.

This is a crucial step in building a tangible solution to York’s housing shortage, by creating affordable and environmentally sustainable homes, designed to deliver a real sense of community.

All designed around the needs of future residents, the plan is for 19 low cost, cooperatively-owned homes which include a mix of 1 & 2 bed apartments as well as 2,3 & 4 bed homes. There will also be a common house space, with a large shared kitchen, dining and living space, communal laundry, guest and kids play rooms and outside a mix of private and shared space.

The homes will be efficient, affordable to heat and healthy, as they will be built from locally sourced, low carbon, natural materials providing insulation to the highest standard.

Renewable energy will power the homes, further enhancing the community’s sustainable credentials. And there has been a conscious decision to reduce car ownership. Good local public transport links & lots of cycle storage will make it easy for residents to be more sustainable in how they travel.

Started in 2014, YorSpace is a group of York residents who believe that there is a better way to address the issue of unaffordable house prices and rising rents in their city. A lot of members have benefited from York’s unique sense of community, but are challenged by its relative unaffordability. The innovative mutual home ownership model provides residents with a solution; secure equity whilst guaranteeing the houses stay affordable for generations to come.

But that is not all, the hope is that the homes built in Acomb are the first of many sustainable communities across York.

Later this year a community share offer will be launched for people to invest in the project which will allow Yorspace to keep resident deposits low and make the homes that are built available to a wider pool of people.

Following the successful delivery of the Acomb project, Yorspace will look at other areas of York and work with members and local people to create new communities.

Interested in knowing more? Yorspace’s second AGM is being held 3rd April 2019 at The Gateway Centre, Acomb – 7pm to 9pm.

In addition to the sometimes boring (!) AGM business, they will be screening an excellent short film Britain’s Housing Crisis: A People-Powered Solution? as well as hosting a Q&A and giving more details about their share offer and plans for the homes at Lowfield Green.

All are welcome to come along, and a visit to their website will tell you more about becoming a resident or an investor.