Pride in Yorkshire grit
WE all know Yorkshire is God’s own country, its proud residents have told us often enough. But whether you believe that or not it’s good to see that the UK’s largest county – so big it’s split into North Yorkshire, West Yorkshire and East Riding – is continuing to thrive thanks to Northern Powerhouse initiatives.
Leeds, in particular, has seen investment from big national and international organisations and companies moving key operations to the city include Channel 4, which opened a new base there in October.
The National Film and Television School is expected to open a Leeds hub in January and there are plans for a major new film and TV studio.
Investment in Leeds and other parts of Yorkshire is one of the reasons behind new housing developments in York and the Yorkshire Dales by North Yorkshire-based Newby Developments.
“Yorkshire is still all those things it has always been famous for – friendly people, rolling countryside, pretty villages, historic cities, a sense of community – but in the last couple of decades the region really does seem to have bloomed,” says founding partner Nick Moody.
“It has gone through a period of transition as it continues to move from an economy that relied on heavy industry, textiles, manufacturing and agriculture to a more diverse market – although traditional industry is still very important.
“The concept of the Northern Powerhouse, launched five years ago to boost the local economy by investing in skills, innovation, transport and culture, continues to drive economic growth. Now everything from digital industries to financial services flourish, bringing employment opportunities and a changing demand for property.”
Although Leeds has been a major beneficiary of Northern Powerhouse investment, York is now attracting regeneration projects. Its Castle Gateway masterplan includes relocating the car park next to historic Clifford’s Tower and replacing it with a new public space to host events year-round, surrounded by cafes, bars and restaurants.
THE plans include a new riverside walkway, more bridges across the River Foss and improvements to Piccadilly at the heart of the city, just across the river from Clifford’s Tower.
It’s here that Newby Developments is building Ryedale House; 77 luxury one, two and three-bedroom apartments with views of York Minster and the city’s historic walls, as well as Clifford’s Tower, which is the remains of York’s medieval castle.
One-bedroom flats start from £260,000 (01904 593551; newby.co.uk) and include floor-to-ceiling windows, wooden flooring, underfloor heating and smart device-compatible heating controls.
“York, one of the country’s most historic cities, is connected to London by train, which takes less than two hours,” says Nick. “That is one of the beauties of Yorkshire – you can base yourself in the most beautiful countryside and still be within easy reach of a major city for work, leisure and culture.”
Truly beautiful is the Yorkshire Dales, where Newby is transforming a 19th century former cotton and flax mill into a collection of apartments, cottages and houses in the village of Glasshouses, near Pateley Bridge in the heart of Nidderdale.
The main building houses one to threebedroom apartments and townhouse-style homes over three or four floors.All have heritage features such as exposed beams, while the houses have private gardens.
Two-bedroom cottages have been created in the main mill and the Mechanics Shop, where existing doors and window openings have been retained, and at Pug Mill, where the original stonework has been reinstated. Prices range from £155,000 to £599,500 (01423 503076; newby.co.uk).
Glasshouses Mill, which will have a shop and café, is 12 miles from Harrogate and on the doorstep of country walks and cycle paths including Nidderdale Greenway, which takes the route of a disused railway track. Newby is involved in extending the Greenway through the mill’s grounds and, as part of this extension, reopening the riverside walk in front of the mill.
“With all of this on your doorstep,” says Nick, “Yorkshire takes some beating as a place to call home.”