THE first phase of work on redeveloping the Terry’s chocolate factory site in York could get the go-ahead tomorrow.

Detailed plans by David Wilson Homes for 85 homes through the Chocolate Works scheme will be discussed by City of York Council’s planning committee.

Planning officials at the authority have recommended the application, which covers issues such as the design and layout of the homes at the South Bank end of the site, for approval.

It will include 57 three and four-bedroom houses and two blocks holding a total of 28 two and three-bedroom apartments.

The Terry’s project is ultimately intended to have 270 homes, and Henry Boot Developments Ltd is taking charge of redeveloping the former chocolate factory buildings. Planning permission has already been granted for them to become housing, offices, shops and hotels.

Henry Boot and David Wilson Homes bought the 27-acre site from its previous owners, GHT Developments LLP, in April for an undisclosed sum and have said the Chocolate Works project will create 200 construction jobs.

In a written report to tomorrow’s meeting, planning officer Erik Matthews said any noise caused by the work would be “short term” and the Campleshon Road edge of the site would be landscaped.

A planning agreement would address concerns from some local residents about the housing scheme’s impact on nearby roads and services, he said.

Mr Matthews wrote: “The proposal is felt to relate well to the setting of the racecourse and the Terry’s conservation area, and the surviving Grade II-listed factory buildings to the south. Any impact on the residential amenity of neighbouring properties is felt to be acceptable.”

Council leader James Alexander said in his speech to a full meeting of the authority last week that, if approval is granted, work should start early in the New Year and the first residents could move in during mid 2014.