What is Derwenthorpe?

Derwenthorpe is a new community on the edge of York, which the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust has been developing in partnership with City of York council.

This community of 540 much-needed family homes, build to high environmental standards, will include:

• a mix of affordable rented and part-owned homes and homes for full sale
• high quality 'lifetime' homes, meeting the needs of young families, people with disabilities, and older residents.
• involvement of residents in the development and management of the community
• sustainable and energy-efficient principles, with features including conservation land and communal heating
• pedestrian-friendly streets, reduced traffic flow, secure homes and safe open places
• communal facilities that meet the needs of residents in the new housing and in surrounding communities
• enhanced local transport systems including car club, cycle ways and pedestrian links.

What's the latest news?

The development has been stalled while the EC investigated the City of York Council's decision to sell the site to the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust without going out to open tender. The EC had said that the UK government had not complied with European Union (EU) public procurement rules because of this. The European Commission (EC) has now issued a press release announcing a decision that affects the future of Derwenthorpe. The press release says that the EC has now decided to close this case rather than refer it to the European Courts.

We remain committed to building Derwenthorpe and providing the housing the families in York need. Although we have recieved the press release we are still waiting to see the details of the actual decision. We had planned to build the first phase of Derwenthorpe ourselves but the press release suggest JRHT will have to put this construction work out to tender, allowing companies across the EU to bid for it. Once we do get a copy of the decision we will be checking the details with our legal advisers about the next steps.


Archived Information:

• Read about the background of the Derwenthorpe development
• Read the outline planning application on the JRF website
• Read the Traffic and Transport Sub Group Papers relating to the Construction Traffic Road from the East.
• Read the additional Briefing Note to Consultants on the Road to the East
• Read the Supplementary Report on the Road from the East and Annexes
• Read the Flooding Information leaflet
• Community Facilities Audit Report
• Read the Temple Avenue Project Information leaflet