THE public have viewed plans for the second phase of the development of the former Terry's chocolate factory site.

Work has already started on building 85 new homes at the site and yesterday developers David Wilson Homes sought local views on the second phase of the plans for 239 new homes.

The exhibition at St Chad's Church Hall in Campleshon Road included images of the new development near York Racecourse, which will include 84 three storey houses and 155 apartments.

The designs by architect Richards Partington Architects are intended to mirror aspects of the neighbouring Terry's factory buildings and to complement the Grade II listed factory buildings and clock tower.

Following the consultation, planning permission is due to be sought from City of York Council.

Talking about the first phase of work, Eamonn Keogh, a planner for David Wilson Homes, said: "It's good they are on site, everybody is quite happy to see it's not lying dormant.

"Most people here are interested in when the houses are going to go on sale."

The presentation outlined that the £37.9 million housing investment would result in a £2.7 million New Homes Bonus for the council over six years - a grant paid by central government to local councils for increasing the number of homes and their use - for local facilities and infrastructure.

The majority of the properties will be two-bedroomed, but one, three and four bed properties will be available.

Prices have not yet been released.

York-based David Wilson Homes acquired The Chocolate Works jointly with Henry Boot Developments last year.

Among those gathered at the meeting yesterday, one local resident said: "I do think they could have been a bit more imaginative."

Another said she had attended as she was very keen to snap up a property due to the location and design of the development and had already signed up to a waiting list.