WORK has started on the development of another student housing block in the centre of York.

York-based development company S Harrison have appointed GMI Construction Group PLC on a major new development, and the company has immediately started work on the £6.2million contract.

The development, on Percy’s Lane, will provide modern living accommodation for 106 students, and is going on the site once home to Herbert Todd now that city business has moved to new premises at Monks Cross.

Steve McManaman, from S Harrison, says: “It’s great to see work underway in this well-known part of York’s Walmgate Conservation area. This development promises to further enhance both the local streetscape as well as complementing other regeneration work that has taken place on and around Percy’s Lane in recent years.

“We’re currently working with GMI on a 180 bedroom student development on Blenheim Walk in Leeds city centre and have been impressed with the team’s tenacious approach and professionalism, which made them the ideal partner for this latest scheme in York.”

The Percy’s Lane development includes a number of self-contained townhouses that offer their own front doors, similar to a traditional shared student house, but with all the comforts modern students expect. There will also be a mix of one, three, five and six bedroom en-suite apartments and three and four storey buildings will include a study space, gym, cinema, common room, games room and courtyard area.

The scheme is due to complete in time for the start of the 2018/19 academic year and will be owned and managed by Empiric Student Property, which runs premium student accommodation across the UK.

This follows three other student accommodation schemes for S Harrison in York - together totalling 762 beds - and it also follows similar projects in Edinburgh and Newcastle. Work is currently underway on a 115 room site on Lawrence Street in York, and earlier this year S Harrison started a 180 room development on Blenheim Walk in Leeds city centre.