What is YoCo?

Do you want to live in your own home as part of a community that looks after itself, its neighbours and the environment? If so YoCo (York Central Co-Owned) is for you. 

YoCo is a community-led project with the ambition of creating a new neighbourhood, co-designed and co-managed by those who live in it. Influenced by housing scarcity in York, the aim is to offer affordable homes, to build community, and incorporate quality urban design that allows for healthy humans and a healthy environment.

To be a small part of the York Central development – one of the largest regeneration projects in the UK – is an incredible opportunity to make this real. 

There is a small group of people already involved in the project.  Called the YoCo Cohousing Circle, they are ready to welcome you too.

How did this all start?

YoCo grew out of the My York Central community engagement process in 2018 which resulted in a public vision for the massive site. This made a priority of homes for living rather than investment, created in mixed-use, walkable neighbourhoods with public space for people to share for creative use, rather than for cars. People recognised the problems caused by York’s inequality, but also the opportunities that inequality provided for people to invest in neighbourhoods which enabled better life for everyone. YoCo was formed by local people in 2019 and asked key questions:- if you want children playing in safe streets and birdsong in the trees, how do you get it?

What is our proposed project?

YoCo has had discussions with York Central’s master developer resulting in an invitation to set out proposals, and plans are gradually being firmed up for a collective custom build project. The initial aim is to create a mixed-use, cohousing development, with up to 45 homes plus some street-level commercial space.

What is cohousing?

Cohousing communities are intentional communities structured around shared values, created and run by their residents. Each household has a self-contained, private home as well as shared community space. Residents come together to manage their community, share activities, and look out for each other.

You can see other examples of innovative new neighbourhoods on our Who else…? page!

What is York Central and where might the cohousing be located?

York Central is the major redevelopment taking place on land that sits roughly between York Railway Station, the River Ouse, and the Holgate area of the city.

YoCo is currently liaising with the master developer about a specific site, emphasising the wish to connect with existing surrounding communities such as St.Peter’s Quarter and the Leeman Road neighbourhood, and to provide a good neighbour to the extensive proposed park.

Regardless of specifics, almost any location within York Central would make the project close to the station. With the master developer’s aim of making a ‘low traffic’ neighbourhood, walking or cycling to the station or city centre should be easy and pleasant. The area is also well-served by buses.

What form will the development take?

Though still in early stages, YoCo’s plans assume a four- or five-storey construction. At ground floor level there would be mostly small commercial units (managed with residents’ and neighbours’ interests in mind), plus some completely accessible homes. Above this would be a mix of apartments and maisonettes of varying sizes. Quality design will be key throughout.

As a cohousing development, there will be collectively owned and managed shared space to relax, enjoy green space, grow food, and socialise. At street level, social and workspace will combine space for shared activity with income and broader facilities for the area - with plans for small businesses, a cafe, hot-desking etc.

How will design decisions be made, and who will build it?

As a collective custom build project, the general plan is for YoCo Cohousing Circle members to shape the project and then work with York Central’s main developer who would build it.

YoCo will need to work within the outline planning consent for the York Central development, and this is not expected to be a hands-on self-build project. Within these constraints, however, there will be plenty of opportunity to work together to decide exactly what residents-to-be want, to shape this into a brief for designers, and work with them to bring this to life.

How will people be able to live here?

Co-ownership is at the heart of the YoCo project and will form the overall framework; within this, residents have their own private properties. The intention is to make living here accessible to as wide a range of people as possible, with a range of tenures including flexible shared ownership options and affordable rental models. This will allow for a wide range spanning from (as near as possible) home ownership to social rent – the exact structures and costs are currently being shaped and determined by Cohousing Circle members.

What are the likely timescales?

While timescales are rarely entirely predictable, it’s hoped that YoCo’s project will form part of the second phase of work on York Central. The aim for 2026 is to continue to grow the Cohousing Circle and design the development, in anticipation of construction during 2027 onwards. Occupation is expected to be around 18 months after construction starts.

How can I find out more?

If you think you might like to live here, YoCo would love to hear from you – please email yocoinformation@gmail.com and say hello! 

A YoCo member will get in touch and will be happy to explore any questions at all, arranging a Zoom call to talk more, offering dates to meet up and walk around the site, details of upcoming meetings and events, and how to join the Cohousing Circle.