THE next phase of a major redevelopment of a York landmark is taking shape with a planning application submitted for hundreds of new homes at the formers Terry's chocolate factory.

House builder David Wilson Homes has applied for detailed planning permission for part two of its redevelopment of the site beside the Knavesmire.

If approved, the project will put 79 new houses and six apartment blocks containing 161 homes on land around the iconic factory buildings. The scheme was granted outline permission in October last year, and a smaller aspect of it was given detailed permission two months later and saw work begin this January.

This new aspect will bring the number of homes at the site up to 329, including 20 per cent of the properties which are to be affordable, the developers have said.

Peter Morris, development director at David Wilson Homes, said: “As we’ve already demonstrated through our progress on phase one, we’re keen to bring this new homes development to fruition and finally bring to an end the stagnation that this prominent site has suffered since Terry’s moved away.

“We’ve involved the community in shaping up our plans and feedback from both the Terry’s community forum and recent public consultation event regarding the proposed layout and designs has been very encouraging and largely supportive. There has been tremendous interest already from potential buyers, including from those who attended our consultation events.”

The application includes a straight central boulevard connecting the residential areas and the redeveloped factory buildings, and pedestrian priority within the centre of the site with one major vehicle entrance and five pedestrian or cycle entrances.

The developers have also said tree retention is a major feature of the plans, along with new planting, and the site will include an urban square designed to become the heart of the development.

Officers from City of York Council will now review the submission and make their recommendation to the planning committee, which will consider the application later this year.

The construction of the first homes is already well underway and these are expected to be available for occupation early in the New Year, but these new plans do not touch on the historic disused factory buildings, which are owned and are being renovated by Henry Boot Developments.