New development brings ‘much needed new housing’ to East Cowton

Construction has commenced on a new housing development aimed at addressing rural housing needs and boosting the local economy in North Yorkshire.

Karbon Homes, in partnership with Adderstone Living, is building 68 energy-efficient homes in East Cowton, bringing “much needed new housing” to an area that has suffered from limited housing investment and a declining population in recent years.

Designed to the highest sustainability standards, the homes feature timber frame construction, solar panels and air source heat pumps. The development includes a mix of social and affordable rent options, shared ownership, and Rent to Buy schemes, providing accessible housing for various needs.

Beyond housing, the project will enhance local infrastructure, including new road layouts, improved drainage to mitigate flooding, and open spaces to preserve the village’s rural character.

Zoey Hawthorne, assistant director of development delivery at Karbon Homes, said: “It’s great to see work starting on site, an exciting project which will bring much needed new housing to the community.

“As is common with rural villages like East Cowton, the limited housing investment over the years has resulted in a decline of new people moving to the area.

“We hope these new homes, designed to meet the needs of young people and families wanting to move to the village, will help combat the issues and in turn help the community thrive.”

Stephen McCoy, director of Adderstone Living, added: “This is a special scheme for Adderstone Living.

“We have been working on this through planning for some time and it is great to now see it started on site.

“The support of the Parish Council and Karbon Homes throughout has been key to the successful planning outcome.”

The development is partly funded by Karbon’s £165 million strategic partnership with Homes England, supporting its goal of delivering 2,200 affordable homes across the North East and Yorkshire by 2026. Karbon has committed to delivering 10 per cent of these new homes in rural communities such as East Cowton.

Marking the start of works on site, colleagues from Karbon and Adderstone Living were joined by councillor Elaine Simpson, chairman of East Cowton Parish Council, and vice-chairman councillor Jane Green.

Councillor Simpson added: “Many of our younger generation have moved away from the village since housing in the area is not affordable for them.

“This new development offers a range of properties, both in design and affordability, to appeal to professional couples and new and returning families.

“It will ensure that we sustain and grow our local population so that the village continues to flourish, providing a healthy attendance at our school as well as sustaining our local economy and services. The scheme is a very welcome development for the future of East Cowton.”

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