Regeneration project in shadow of Minster set to be approved

A total of 130 new homes will be built in Flemingate, in the shadow of Beverley Minster, kick-starting the 120m regeneration of the former factory and museum site, which will also include shops, restaurants, offices and a cinema.

Outline planning permission has already been given for a development on the site, one of the important ones in the town.

The scheme is coming back to East Riding Council's planning committee on Wednesday for approval of detailed plans of the housing element.

The houses are Georgian style to reflect the predominantly Georgian town, built in brick, with slate or pantile roofs and timber used in windows where they are on view.

One of the two main pedestrian routes running through the site will have views of the Minster and attention has been paid to small details, from the planting to the texture of the paving.

"Obviously it is such an important site for Beverley, we had to get it right," said architect Andrew Sangwin, from Building Design Architects, who has lived in the town for 12 years.

"The impact on Beverley is enormous for both housing and retail."

Mr Sangwin added: "The houses have been designed round the social spaces.

"The starting point was the two streets that run through the site. It's unusual to do it that way. Often the brief is to provide a number of houses and the social space is what is left.

"This way we have done it the proper way."

Construction is expected to begin early next year. Development is expected to take up to three and a half years.

The foundations of the former tannery will be removed and contamination dealt with. Andy Cramer, from Stamford Homes, said: "We are trying to include local contractors and labour wherever possible as we do across all our sites.

"Obviously it has been difficult times over the last couple of years but we are confident in terms of the site and position that it is going to sell well."

Most commentators appear happy with the design, with Beverley Town Council recommending approval while English Heritage states that the design will "sit comfortably adjacent to the historic core of Beverley".

Council officers are recommending approving what they call "a high quality development in terms of both design and layout" when consultation ends later this month.

The residential proposals include seven large four-bedroomed homes; 17 "curved" three-bedroomed homes designed specifically for the site; 84 further three-bedroomed homes in three different designs; and 22 two-bedroomed properties.

Just 14 of the 130 homes would be classed as affordable – available for rent or shared ownership purchase – and would be managed by a housing association.

All would be built to level three of the Code for Sustainable Homes, making them 25 per cent more energy efficient than homes built in 2006.

The consortium behind the regeneration plans – Wykeland Group, CP Group and Quintain Estates and Development Plc – is in negotiations with potential tenants for the shopping, leisure and hotel elements of the site.

Dominic Gibbons, managing director of Wykeland Group, said: "We are concentrating on housing element.

"We are talking to a number of operators and retailers at the moment in formulating the delivery of the commercial end of the scheme. The level of interest is positive even through the recession