Plans to sell council-owned homes deemed unviable for improvements - including in York’s Shambles - have been branded a fire sale of the city’s crown jewels. Liberal Democrat opposition leader Cllr Nigel Ayre said selling five flats in Shambles and part of 22 The Avenue in Clifton would reduce affordable housing in costly parts of York. City of York Council’s housing lead Cllr Michael Pavlovic said Shambles flats had deteriorated and no affordable housing provider would take them, making their sale the most financially viable option.
It comes as councillors ruled putting the five one-bed flats in 28 and 45-47 Shambles and part of 22 The Avenue on the market did not breach council policies. The council’s Executive agreed to sell the properties on the open market in July as part of a number of decisions regarding sites earmarked for housing in York. They included disposing of a plot in Acomb’s Lowfield Green and Morrell House, in Burton Stone Lane, and continuing discussions to develop the Castle Mills site, all for affordable housing.
A council report stated it came amid a lack of private rental accommodation locally and York experiencing some of the highest house price increases in the country in recent years. It added 22 The Avenue, a vacant two-storey detached house built around 1920, was in a poor condition and required a full refurbishment, meaning affordable housing in it is unviable. The building was used as accommodation for mental health assessments and care.