Care home construction continues and new pay and display car park appears

Construction workers were back on site last week as progress on a dementia care home in Driffield finally recommenced.

Yorkare Homes Ltd received planning permission in November 2020 for a state-of-the-art 68-bedroom facility on Middle Street North on land formerly occupied by a Post Office sorting office and the Viking Centre.

Previously, the Yorkare Homes’ development director, Laurence Garton, had told the Wolds Weekly that, once planning was approved, it was expected the development would take around a year to complete.

Despite lots of demolition work taking place in the immediate aftermath of plans being approved, little to no work has been undertaken in over 12 months.

That was until last week, when further production was back underway, although Yorkare Homes’ website now states the facility will be open in spring 2024.

The Wolds Weekly sought an update from Yorkare Homes, but the developers declined to comment.

Part of the current work included prohibiting motorists from parking in the car park for patients of The Medical Centre on Cranwell Road.

However, a new pay and display car park has appeared opposite The Medical Centre car park.

Previously unused private land, the site on Cranwell Road has charges in operation 24 hours per day, seven days a week, and appears to have come as a surprise to many.

Landowner Martin Bengtsson has predicted an economic boost for Driffield’s Northern Quarter after opening a new car park in the town.

The pay and display car park opened recently and is accessed at the end of Cranwell Road.

Martin purchased the land almost three years ago, with the majority of it occupied by Affordable Cars.

The remainder is subject to imminent planning proposals for eight affordable homes, however, with that likely to take some time to complete, Martin sought for better use of the land.

After being approached by Driffield-based and local representative David Williams from car park management company Bransby Wilson Parking Solutions about using the land, he took up its offer.

The opening of the pay and display car park coincided with the former Viking Centre car park allocated for The Medical Centre patients closing and Martin said it has been welcomed by surrounding businesses.

Operating under the business name ZB Services Ltd, Martin told the Wolds Weekly: “When I purchased the site, I wanted to find the best use for something which had stood derelict for 40 years.

“The majority of it has now been smartened up significantly by Affordable Cars, with full planning permission being entered for eight homes on the remainder of the site.

“However, that could take up to two years before work begins, so in the meantime, it might as well be used as something practical.

“Bransby Wilson approached me about the car park and, with the doctors car park closing, an opportunity existed.

“It is the cheapest pay and display car park in Driffield, just £1.50 for two hours or £2.50 for 24.

“There has been immediate support from surrounding businesses and it will bring an economic boost to Driffield’s Northern Quarter as the busiest time of year approaches.

“It is by no means a money spinner, however, it is practical and providing a service for the town, with no other long-term car parking in that area of Driffield.”

The car park will be advertised on parking apps by Bransby Wilson, whilst Martin confirmed that the charges are fully operational and will be contactless only.

“An enforcement amnesty was in place until Tuesday 1st November which was when the parking meter was fully operational,” he explained.

“Payment will be via the RingGo parking app, contactless on the parking meter or there is a phone number on the sign in the car park to call to make payment.

“RingGo is used by the majority of railway station car parks, including Driffield, as well as hospitals.

“The days of cash payments are behind us, with cash being difficult to process due to the lack of banks, as well as being a security risk.”