BUILDING work has started on the next phase of a £150 million development in York city-centre.

Construction workers are on site and making a start on almost 200 new homes at Hungate, creating 150 new jobs in the city while the building work is going on.

The 195 apartments - from studios to three-bedroomed apartments - are being built by Lend Lease, a partnership between Lend Lease and Yorkshire-based property firm Evans.

Richard Cook, Lend Lease’s head of residential, said: “The start of construction on these homes marks an exciting step in the wider regeneration of the area. York is experiencing some exciting changes and we have been working closely with the City of York Council as we create what we hope will be a highly sought after area of the city to live in and visit.”

The apartments have been designed by architects at the Birmingham based Weedon Partnership, to include environmental features like solar panels and green roofs. Developers say the homes will be on sale for between £115,000 for a studio and £385,000 for a three bedroomed apartment.

Roderick Evans, managing director of Evans Property Group, added: “As long-term investors in York we are delighted to be working in partnership with Lend Lease to deliver this major scheme. As well as providing further high quality homes in the heart of this historic city, the development of phase two will also see the creation of new jobs.”

The 150 apartments are the second phase in what was originally planned as a larger 720 home regeneration for Hungate with shops, restaurants and bars, to be carried out over five phases and taking up to 2024 to complete.

Evans have already worked on large projects in York, including the 650-bed Langwith College student accommodation site with the University of York, and has been selected to develop more student accommodation with more than 620 beds at the University's Heslington East, due to complete later this month.