WORK on a housing development has ground to a halt after the company building the properties went bust.

Builders at the Hob Stone site, in Westfield, York, have downed tools after Southdale Homes collapsed at the beginning of May.

The Press reported last week the Newton Aycliffe firm had been forced to walk away from the 925-home Sowerby Gateway housing development near Thirsk, but it was unclear what their intentions were for the 55 family homes in York.

However, we can reveal developer Yorkshire Housing is looking for a new contractor to complete the builds, which was nearing completion before Southdale crashed.

A Yorkshire Housing spokesman said: "Construction work at Hob Stone has stopped temporarily due to contractor Southdale Homes going into administration.

"We are currently working towards selecting a new contractor to enable the scheme to be completed, as planned, to the original high-quality specification."

The development is located on the former site of Our Lady's Primary School and controversially looks out on to Hob Moor.

Fourteen of the 55 homes at Hob Stone will be for sale and the rest of the homes will available to rent to families on average or low incomes.

However, Cllr Andrew Waller, Westfield councillor for City of York Council, is eager for a new constructor to be found.

He said: "The local community are very anxious about what's happening next.

"There were some questions about the buildings and their proximity to the Moor, so I have asked officers about what's going on because it has been a problem to local residents from the beginning.

"I will be putting pressure on the council to sort this out."

Steve Galloway, a former Westfield councillor, added: "We are all concerned to hear the builders went into receivership and no statement was issued at that time.

"The only partly finished site is unsightly at present so we hope Yorkshire Housing will resolve the issues as soon as possible."

The properties are seen as ideal "starter homes" for people looking to get a foothold on the property ladder and are available through Help to Buy, a Government scheme which gives buyers a chance to secure a mortgage with only a five per cent deposit.