A YORK developer has started work redeveloping a a former city centre public house and its car park as part of a new £4.5 million residential scheme.

Six town houses are being built on the car park of the former Lord Nelson public house, in Walmgate, which closed down more than 30 years ago, while the former Victorian pub facade is being retained and the property turned into two traditional terraced homes.

The scheme on the third-of-an acre site is being carried out by York property developer, Northminster Ltd, after designs by COG Architecture of Leeds, were backed by City of York planners.

Woodhouse-Barry (Construction) Ltd, based in Sheriff Hutton, has been appointed main contractor for the project, which is expected to finish by the end of the year, and York-based property and construction consultants, LHL Group, will manage the construction for Northminster Ltd.

Northminster Ltd managing director, George Burgess, said: "As well as being sustainable in design and construction, the homes are in the city centre, reducing dependence on transport and will have amenities such as gardens, roof terraces, and car parking which are rarely available within the city walls.

"The new homes will appeal to families who want to live and work in the city centre or those down-sizing from nearby villages or larger townhouses who are seeking the benefits of city living."

All the six of the four-storey town houses being built in the car park will include features such as roof-mounted solar-thermal heating and roof terraces as well as private parking with car recharging points and gardens for each house.

The 3,200 sq ft former Lord Nelson public house will be divided into two terraced homes, one of 1,300 sq ft and the other of 1,900 sq ft.

Woodhouse-Barry (Construction), which works with a range of properties including listed buildings, community centres and social housing won a national LABC (Local Authority Building Control) award last year for Best Change of Use of an Existing Building or Conversion for The Old Coach House, in East Rounton, which it refurbished as four apartments.

Woodhouse-Barry site manager Graham MacDonald, said: "We are pleased to be on site for this modern, vibrant project with all the challenges of developing a dormant brownfield site and the refurbishment of the former pub into new living spaces."