New homes for Nestle factory but Rowntree name remains

The old Nestle factory in York has stood empty and forlorn for the past eight years after being deemed unfit for modern chocolate making.

Now this proud symbol of the city’s confectionary heritage is all set for a fresh start after new owners revealed detailed plans to turn the building into 263 apartments.

The Cocoa Works, built in 1890 by the Rowntree family, is now owned by Newby, a development company based at Newby Hall, near Ripon.

After consultation with the city council and residents, the firm has submitted a full planning application that pledges to preserve the factory’s historic facade while adding extra height to the towering five-storey structure.

If the scheme is approved, work on the Haxby Road site could begin in November with a phased delivery programme over 30 months. The first apartments could be released for sale off plan by summer next year.

Newby also aims to create a 4,000sq ft convenience store, storage for 288 bicycles and 173 external parking spaces, along with landscaped areas.

Nestle, which has built a replacement factory on adjoining land, previously announced an ambitious plan to convert The Cocoa Works into a mix of apartments, student flats, live-work units, shops and offices but it did not materialise.

Newby, which has experience of converting historic buildings, bought the property without planning approval in November last year.

Nick Moody, founding partner at Newby, said: “We love the building and all that it stands for and we feel that our proposals make the most of its potential. The design seeks to preserve the structure, and external features, such as the memorial library, clocks, railings and covered walkway, whilst providing new homes that are much needed in the area.”

Due to demolition work at the rear of the former factory in 2008 part of the original brick wall was lost so that will be rebuilt.

Bank funding for the conversion, designed by Axis Architecture, is in place and the planning application proposes a mix of one, two and three-bedroom apartments with a single-storey extension to most of the roof with a two-storey extension on its south side.

Mr Moody says the extension is essential in making the scheme viable and adds that the building is in “remarkably good condition” even though it has been empty since 2008.

“Nestle has taken very good care of it. We are keeping the superb windows and we are aiming to make the most of the high ceilings and the industrial features, such as the steel columns and bases.”

The former Grade II listed Joseph Rowntree memorial library will be turned into a concierge facility for the flats.

At its peak, Rowntree employed 14,000 people but mechanisation gradually reduced that total. In 1988, Swiss multinational Nestle bought the business and in 2006 it transferred production of some of its brands. It still employs 1,800 people in its modern York factory making Aero, KitKat, Yorkie, Milkybar and Polo. The city is also home to Nestle’s product technology centre.

While it is all change for the original Victorian building, it will retain its historic name. “It just seemed right to keep it as The Cocoa Works,” said Nick Moody. “There is no better name.”