A row has erupted over claims that plans to build affordable homes on council-owned sites in York are being watered down.
Future homes built in City of York Council schemes would no longer have to meet highly energy-efficient Passivhaus standards, which officials said would ensure affordable schemes can still be delivered.
Cllr Nigel Ayre, leader of the council’s Liberal Democray opposition, said ruling Labour’s current approach had stalled the building new homes while people were priced out of buying and renting.
But Labour housing spokesperson Cllr Michael Pavlovic said building affordable homes in York was challenging amid rising construction costs and they were seeking a solution that was achievable and cost-effective.
It comes as a proposed strategy to deliver affordable housing schemes on council-owned land is set to go before the authority’s executive today (Tuesday).
Homes built on coucil-owned sites would be built to Homes England’s Healthy Homes Standards going forward instead of Passivhaus.
The council’s Labour administration is aiming to build a total of 315 affordable homes across its Castle Mills, Lowfield, Manor School, Ordnance Lane and Willow House sites.
Labour has pledged that homes built on council-owned sites would all be offered at affordable rates through shared ownership schemes and social rents.
A report on the proposed strategy stated current requirements for homes in council schemes be Passivhaus-certified had struggled to attract interest from construction firms to build them.
It added it was due to market conditions and the complexity of building homes to the standards designed to need 90 per cent less energy than typical houses.
Estimated timescales for work on council-owned sites would see prepatory work at the Ordnance Lane and Willow House sites start in spring next year.
Plans to build 101 Passivhaus homes at Ordnance Lane, off Fulford Road, were approved in August 2024 but a building contract is yet to be awarded despite recent procurement efforts.
The demolition of the former Willow House care home, in Long Lane Close Near Walmgate, was approved in March and plans have since been lodged for 36 affordable homes there.
Further contracts are set to be awarded to build homes on a site-by-site basis from summer 2027, after the Labour administration’s current term.
Plans for homes at Woolnough Road near Hull Road, Heworth’s 68 Centre and Clifton Without Junior School are in pre-application stages, with interest in extra-care housing at Lowfield Plot B.
Alternative options are currently being considered for Clifton’s Morrell House and The Glen, Ousecliffe Gardens after both failed to attract market interest.
Homes England’s standards require houses to be designed so they use less water and energy than normal and to be accessible, age-friendly and adaptable to changing needs.
The council’s new strategy would also see it appoint a commercial Strategic Delivery Partner to build homes on sites it owns.
Officials stated the move aimed to speed up house building but the authority would retain strong control over each scheme.
The partner would also be required to invest in local skills, employment and apprenticeships.
Changes proposed in the strategy are a necessary shift to get affordable homes built on council sites, according to officials.
Cllr Ayre said the insistence on building affordable-only homes on the sites had stalled them and left York falling behind.
Cllr Ayre said: “Labour made big promises on housing, but they simply haven’t delivered.
“We now see commitments being watered down because their approach didn’t work.
“After three years of this administration, we now have an admission that not a single affordable home will be delivered in their term of office.”
Cllr Pavolovic said Liberal Democrat claims were simply not true.
“The council should be developing truly affordable housing on its own sites at social rents and shared ownership within reach of people earning average wages,” he said.
“These homes will be here for the next 100 years and more and building to high environmental standards means that every home we build on council land will be truly affordable for York residents.”
