People move into first of city's £20m new homes

A MULTI-MILLION pound scheme to provide nearly 200 affordable homes in one of Yorkshire’s property hotspots will see the first residents move in this week.

Work began on the 20m project to replace 100 outdated pre-fabricated homes with 196 properties on three sites across York after it was deemed too expensive to bring the original buildings up to modern standards.

The first site to be cleared was at St Ann’s Court, where 18 homes were replaced with 12 new bungalows and a 41-bed ExtraCare development to provide pensioners with the chance to live as independently as possible with access to 24-hour care.

The development of the two other sites in Regent Street as well as a location straddling Richmond Street and Faber Street has been carried out in phases to minimise disruption to elderly residents.

The first dozen tenants will move into their new homes at the St Ann’s Court site on Wednesday, while another 15 tenants are set to arrive in properties on the Richmond Street location in March.

York Council executive member for housing and adult social services Coun Jonathan Morley said: “A lot of effort has gone into making sure residents were consulted at every stage of the process.

“Importantly they have been involved in shaping the design and specifications of the new homes. This will ensure that these homes meet the needs of residents and make it easier for them to retain their independence.”

The original Discus bungalows were demolished to make way for the new development after it emerged that it would cost 3.6m to bring them up to housing standards set by the Government by the end of 2010.

The Discus bungalows, which had asbestos in their walls and ceilings, were built in the mid-1970s with an expected life-span of 30 years.

The new homes have been created under a partnership between the city council, York Housing Association, Southdale Homes and Tees Valley Housing.