A £10 million York care home scheme at the site of a former chocolate factory is up for a national award.

The Chocolate Works Care Village has been shortlisted down to the final three for a Pinders Healthcare Design Award.

Judges for the national industry awards were impressed with how the scheme has overcome challenges associated with restoring the listed building, which once housed the headquarters of Terry’s York.

Architect Julie Smyth, who showed the judges round the building with Springfield Healthcare chief executive Graeme Lee, said: “It was a great honour to spend time with the judges and to recall some of the enormous challenges that we faced when looking to convert the building. It’s always a treat to return to this particular building where we have created something so useful and so special.”

The £10 million restoration of the practically derelict site was the brainchild of Springfield Group’s Mr Lee whose vision of a Care Village for the citizens of York and the surrounding area has become a reality.

He said: “I’m really excited about the Pinders Healthcare Design Awards – such recognition for the team who worked so hard to create this unrivalled care environment is richly deserved.”

Simpsons of York builders completed the build after being selected as principal contractor for experience working with listed buildings.

The final finish and attention to details was greatly admired by the judges, particularly the work on wood panelling and cornicing.

The winners of the Pinders Healthcare Design Awards will be announced at a ceremony in London in March, meanwhile the Chocolate Works Care Village team was presented with a trophy and a cheque for £500 for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

The Chocolate Works Care Village is part of a multi-million pound expansion programme by Springfield Healthcare Group, one of Yorkshire’s oldest care providers, which is set to establish four further care villages. It is the first project in Yorkshire to attract finance from the Business Growth Fund.