Whenever the developers move into the centre of York they are usually preceded by the archaeologists, who race the diggers to see what secrets of the city's past they can unearth before the concrete returns. The Hungate development is the largest of its kind in the city for many years, earlier phases seen behind the excavations have been completed and are now occupied. Prices range from £250,000 - £485,000 to purchase "Eco-friendly apartments and townhouses situated amidst leisure facilities, offices, cafes, car-free open spaces and its own nature reserve".
Hungate is described as the future of urban living but it has a past too. Seebohm Rowntree's report on this area of the city in 1901 "Poverty a study of town life" concluded that it's inhabitants were visibly poor – showing ‘obvious want and squalor’. In the 1930s York Corporation used new powers under the 1930 Housing Act to begin slum clearance in this area. Whole streets in Hungate were pulled down, and the residents moved to new council homes built outside the city centre.
It will be interesting to see if they discover anything of note.
ReplyDeleteThis is a contemplative photo, with the past in the foreground and the present in the background. I hope you'll keep us apprised.
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