Continued Investment in Living, Growing & Wellbeing.
Welcome. This page provides information about proposals for Queensgate Allotments and the potential for a small, fully affordable housing development for the over 60s on adjacent land owned by Beverley Housing Charity.
It has been created to share updates, explain the early-stage work underway, and support open discussion with residents, allotment holders, and the wider community.
"As a charity, we value green space, active ageing, and the vital role of genuinely affordable homes. For more than 800 years, we have invested in the health and wellbeing of people in Beverley. Our ambition is to create a development that honours that legacy and sets a new standard for affordable, sustainable living.”
Andrew Barber OBE. CEO of Beverley Housing Charity
The Site
Beverley Housing Charity is exploring early proposals for approximately 24 affordable and accessible almshouses for local people aged 60 and over on land next to the Queensgate Allotments in Beverley.
This website explains what is being considered, how it could affect the site, and how residents and allotment users can share their views. If your question is not covered here, please use the contact link on the site to get in touch. We aim to respond within five working days. You can also read our frequently asked questions.
What is proposed?
Beverley Housing Charity owns the Queensgate Allotments, which it leases to Beverley Town Council, as well as the adjacent land being considered for development. You can find out more about the charity here.
The Kitchen Lane Allotments are owned by Beverley Town Council and are not part of the proposed development. However, allotment users there would also benefit from new facilities.
The charity is carrying out early engagement and pre-application work on plans for new almshouses for people aged 60 and over who have lived locally for at least 10 years.
The proposal is for approximately 24 affordable, accessible one-bedroom homes.
New allotment facilities in consideration include toilets, changing facilities, limited parking and drop off area and a small community space.
These are early proposals and may change following feedback and further design work. The emerging design includes traditional Almshouse features such as courtyards and green space and has been informed by current residents, national research and work with Haysom Miller Architects.
The development would be no more than two storeys and would include communal gardens, new allotment space and accessible routes through the site. Vehicle access is proposed from the existing Queensgate allotment entrance. This would require a small section of allotments in that area to be relocated, with replacement plots provided on a like-for-like basis.
Main pedestrian access would be from Queensgate. A secure walkway from Kitchen Lane is also being explored, subject to agreement with partners.
Already embedded in your community
Beverley Housing Charity has supported people in Beverley and the surrounding area with affordable housing for more than 800 years. The current charity was formed in 1912 through the consolidation of local almshouses and now provides more than 160 homes in the town.
As well as providing homes, the charity has supported local community organisations through grants and has helped make land available for major housing, health and commercial developments in Beverley, including the town hospital.
Engagement & Next Steps
The charity regularly engages with its own residents in the form of our resident committee and works with a wide range of community partners to enhance health and wellbeing in the area. Including: Haysom Ward Miller Architects, The Almshouse Association, Beverley Housing Charity and Age UK.
Engagement on this specific scheme is at very early stages; following a pre-planning consultation and feedback the charity is now in a position to reach out to allotment holders and local residents to the site.
To attend engagement sessions, receive updates on the site plans and an opportunity to give your feedback register below.
Alongside allotment holders and local residents, our plan is to work closely with the following partners throughout this development.
Beverley Town Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Beverley Housing Charity, Haysom Ward Miller Architects, Age UK HEY, Almshouse Association, Homes England.
Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question that’s not answered here? Get in touch with one of our friendly staff.
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Why this site? Why build on green space?
The land is owned by the charity and as such forms part of exploration for further growth of affordable housing in the region. We have significantly high demand for our homes. Whilst the value of affordable homes and green space is well evidenced to improve life expectancy.
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Would I be compensated if I lease an allotment which needs to be moved?
Although we are still at a very early stage of engagement, should any development go ahead, anyone allotment affected would be supported with a move to a new plot within the site. This may well include relocation costs and resources to make any move as smooth as possible.
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Who benefits from these homes?
Over 60s, who have lived in the Beverley area for ten years or more. The properties remain in the ownership of the charity and are licenced to the resident who pay a maintenance fee, which is typically 65% of market rent in the town.
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How do I register for an Almshouse?
Visit the Beverley Housing Charity website.
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Why are you not using a local architect?
The charity carried out significant research on Almshouse developments across the UK, and an award-winning development combining Almshouses and Allotments was delivered by Haysom Ward Miller. After consultation, we commissioned Rowan Haysom to develop early ideas and support the first stages of engagement.
The charity also works with local architects and trades on a regular basis.
Haysom Ward Miller -
What is the timeline?
The proposals are still at an early stage. Pre-application work and community engagement are expected to continue through 2026. If a planning application is submitted and approved, construction is not expected to begin before 2028.
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How will the impact on green space and wildlife be addressed?
Any proposal would need to take account of green space, biodiversity and the setting of the site. Surveys and technical assessments will help shape the design, and any planning application would need to show how environmental impacts would be managed and, where possible, improved.
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Will allotments be lost?
The current proposal would require a small section of allotment land near the existing Queensgate access to be relocated. If the scheme goes ahead, replacement plots would be provided on a like-for-like basis. The Kitchen Lane Allotments are not part of the proposed development.
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What could this mean for traffic and parking?
Traffic and parking impacts will need to be assessed as the proposals develop. The current concept includes limited parking for residents and allotment users, with vehicle access from the existing Queensgate allotment entrance. Any planning application would need to address highway and access considerations.
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How will contamination and site safety be considered?
Ground conditions and site safety would be assessed through technical surveys as part of the design and planning process. If any issues were identified, they would need to be addressed through appropriate mitigation or remediation before development could proceed.
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Why is this housing needed?
There is an ongoing need for affordable, accessible housing for older people in Beverley and the surrounding area. The aim of the proposal is to provide homes that help local people remain independent while staying connected to their community.
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Has a decision already been made?
No. These are early proposals and no final decision has been made. Feedback from residents, allotment users and local organisations will help inform the design before any full planning application is considered.
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How can I share my views?
You can register for updates, information about meetings and opportunities to comment by using the registration link on this page. If you have a question that is not answered here, please use the contact link on the site and we will aim to respond within five working days.
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Has a planning application been submitted?
Not at this stage. The project is currently in early engagement and pre-application development. If a planning application is submitted, there will be a formal process through which people can view the documents and comment.
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How would construction impacts be managed?
If the scheme progresses, construction impacts such as access, noise, dust and working hours would need to be managed through detailed planning and site controls. Further information would be provided as the proposals develop.
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How can I tender for work on the site?
Initial architect and planning consultants have been commissioned, if full planning is granted, a tender process for the development will be notified via this and the Beverley Housing Charity website. To add your name to the charity’s contractor list please email charity@beverleyhousingcharity.org
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Is this the only new development the charity is considering?
No, the charity regularly engages with local landowners and developers as it looks to expand its property portfolio to meet local need.
Contact charity@beverleyhousingcharity.org should you wish to share a potential opportunity.
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What would happen to the land if the charity were not successful in planning.
A decision would not be made until planning was conclusively dismissed.
In association with
