Duncombe Square

Duncombe Square demonstrates that Passivhaus quality – low energy bills, healthy indoor environments and thermal comfort in winter and summer – can work alongside community spaces and nature connectedness. Delivered by City of York Council on a 0.66-hectare brownfield site in the Clifton ward, the 34-home development will achieve Passivhaus certification across all of its homes and commercial unit. Homes are available for social rent, shared ownership and market sale, without compromise on space, accessibility, or quality of place.

The scheme brings together 11 one-bedroom flats and 23 terraced houses across a range of sizes and tenures: 20% social rent, 40% shared ownership, 40% market sale, with a commercial unit at ground floor. All homes are designed to be accessible and adaptable as residents’ needs change. The development is tenure-blind in its design, with shared communal growing areas, a central green space with a natural children’s play area, and a new public square adjacent to St Luke’s Church for everyone.

Walking and cycling infrastructure is built into the site from the outset, with extensive cycle storage prioritised over car provision. The design itself was shaped by the people who know the neighbourhood best: pupils from Clifton Green Primary School and local residents contributed to early proposals through workshops and community consultation, resulting in a scheme that reflects the needs and character of the area it sits in.