It is still the plan for the former Askham Bar Park & Ride site to be used for housing, according to a report discussed at a meeting of the council’s Executive on 17 March. The report is available HERE

The site was allocated for housing in the draft Local Plan, but over recent years it has played a vital role in supporting firstly the flu vaccination programme and then the Covid vaccination campaign. The site is likely to continue to be used by Nimbuscare well into next year and is unlikely to be available for development for at least 20 months.

The report notes that the site is not straightforward to develop, with a large sewer running underneath the middle of the site.

Executive members reaffirmed the future use of the site for housing and asked officers to undertake further work to explore different options for delivering a scheme on the site that would deliver a minimum of 40% affordable housing and deliver a zero carbon in-use development, with the potential for delivering other community uses alongside this.

Cllr Stephen Fenton has welcomed the confirmation about the future plans for the site, and in particular the possibility of community facilities being provided.

“The work that the Nimbuscare team has done on this site over the past two years has been incredible and that work will continue, but it is now time to actively plan for the longer-term use of the site. I am pleased that the council has reaffirmed its commitment to provide much-needed new housing on the site, and I very much welcome the reference to possible community provision. There is a lack of community facilities in this part of Dringhouses – including healthcare – and this site could help address that deficit. I look forward to working with officers and residents to help shape the future of this important site.”