36 affordable homes at Willow House, 34 Long Close Lane, York

What was proposed

The application proposed 36 homes with open space, landscaping, access and parking after demolishing the former care home and garages.

“This application seeks consent for the erection of 36no. dwellings (use class C3) with associated open space, landscaping, access and parking following demolition of an existing care home and garage blocks. Demolition of former care home building, garage blocks and attached storage building has already been approved, on 11.03.2026; reference 25/02383/FUL. (N.B. The purpose of that application was to facilitate the redevelopment proposed under this application).”

“The application site consists of Willow House, a former care home built in the c.1970s/1980s that includes single and two storey elements and four single storey garage blocks, all of which are proposed for demolition. The site sits inside the City Walls towards the southeast end of Walmgate, within the Central Historic Core Conservation Area (Character Area 16: Outer Walmgate).”

Officer report

What officers recommended

Officers recommended approval because the sustainable brownfield scheme would provide affordable housing and its public benefits would outweigh heritage harm.

“The NPPF (paragraph 125) gives substantial weight to the value of using suitable brownfield land within settlements for homes. The scheme would deliver 100% affordable housing, noting Local Plan SS1 which aims to deliver at least 45% of the 9,396 affordable dwellings that are needed to meet the needs of residents and acknowledged to achieve such it is reliant upon the housing delivery programme and schemes exceeding affordable housing targets in policy H10.”

“The application site lies within an urban area of the city, in a sustainable and accessible location and in a predominantly residential area. The development would contribute to the city’s housing stock and provision of affordable housing.”

Officer report

What people raised

Objections concerned loss of planting and garages, proximity to existing homes, pressure on parking and the lack of commercial space.

“Application Reference Number: 25/02537/FULM Item No: 5b 4.1. The proposal was publicised by Press Notice on 7 th January and Site Notice on 14 th January 2026, as well as by Neighbour Notification Letter.”

“- Loss of existing trees/planting. - Proximity to existing properties. - Visitors to the addresses contributing towards a strain on parking provision. - Provision for parking within the immediate area is not as plentiful as the transport survey conducted indicates. - Loss of existing provision by virtue of demolition of the existing garages. - Development should include aspect of commercial space to the ground floor in lieu of the loss of the existing garages.”

Officer report

Who spoke

Representatives supporting the applicant described the homes as affordable, sustainable, accessible and car-free, and answered members’ questions.

The vote and decision

Members unanimously approved the application with updated conditions, accepting that the public benefits outweighed the heritage harm.

“Resolved: That the application be approved subject to updated Conditions 6, 7, 10, 20, 23, 25 and 27 as detailed in the committee update…”

Minutes