Castle Howard has submitted the first planning application since it set out an ambitious long-term masterplan for the 9,000-acre Estate.

The Reserved Matters Planning application on the Balk Site in Slingsby is for 26 residential dwellings set around a small public green, all designed to the highest sustainability standards. The site will offer both owned and rented tenure options, with 35% of the units being affordable homes.

The scheme has been designed by renowned architects ADAM Architecture, who previously worked with the Blenheim Estate on its award-winning Park View, at Woodstock in Oxfordshire.

The Reserved Matters application for the Balk site in Slingsby follows an Outline Planning application which was granted in 2020, with a vision to create an attractive, sustainable neighbourhood and a sensitive extension to the village.

The application for the 26 residential dwellings on the 2.8 acre site with access from Aspen Way has been designed to minimise any impact on existing residents. This access is able to support any future phases of development, up to the maximum of 38 properties outlined in the original application.

Designed to meet the highest architectural and sustainability standards, and in keeping with the local landscape and the rich architectural tradition of the Estate, it is hoped that the site will be an exemplar for how new housing can strengthen the character of historic villages. The site will aim to provide much needed housing locally and, as part of the long-term Estate development plan, become a catalyst for heritage-led, rural economic regeneration.

The houses have been designed to meet Passivhaus classic standards and will feature sustainable and energy efficient solutions that respond to the many challenges posed by climate, energy, and the cost of living in the UK. This includes heating and hot water systems that do not rely on fossil fuels, as well as photovoltaic panels and/or slates in all viable and appropriate locations.

The new homes will provide a wide variety of dwelling types and a mix of tenure, including 14 two-bed homes, nine three-bed homes, two four-bed homes, and a one-bed apartment. In total, nine of these will be affordable and the majority of all the houses will feature a green outlook as green space comprises approximately 30% of the site.

The development will also ensure access and connectivity by providing new walking and cycling links to the rest of the village to promote sustainable lifestyles. Existing natural habitats will be retained and enhanced, and their future maintenance will be ensured by the development.

The application is the first since the announcement in 2022 of Castle Howard’s 15-year vision to safeguard its unique architectural heritage and to respond to local needs, including provision of housing, village services and local employment opportunities. The plan also boldly responds to a range of current environmental issues by evolving the way the Estate approaches land management.

Jasper Hasell, the Castle Howard Estate Chief Executive, said: “It is hugely important that the plans we have submitted for the Balk site demonstrate our long-term commitment to purposeful development and the key themes laid out in our masterplan. We believe that what we have developed with Adam Architecture does just that, featuring high-quality and sustainable design that is sympathetic to the character of Slingsby and will enhance village life.

“With a range of tenures and 35% of the development being affordable, Castle Howard is uniquely placed to deliver a development of this type, ensuring future homes for local people and a sustainable future for the Estate.”

A spokesperson for Slingsby Parish Council said members would be discussing the application at a meeting later this month.