A ‘TOPPING-OUT’ ceremony marked the latest phase in the Hungate development in central York.

The new development of nearly 200 studio flats, one, two and three-bed apartments is part of a £120 million scheme at the brownfield site which will eventually feature over 1000 homes.

Sixteen per cent of the development will be affordable housing. The Government defines affordable housing as “social rented, affordable rented and intermediate housing, provided to eligible households whose needs are not met by the market.”

Councillor Chris Steward said at the ceremony: “I don’t think it’s often you get excited about a building site but on this occasion I genuinely do feel that way.

"Some buildings are fully completed, this building is coming along. All the pictures and the drawings look amazing, I think this will really energise the city.

“We’re looking at these buildings which are really radical and really new, but hopefully will also complement what we’ve got.”

York Press: A computer-generated image of St John's Square in Hungate

Artist's impression of St John's Square at the Hungate development in York 

The topping-out ceremony is based on the ancient Scandinavian religious rite of placing a tree on top of a new building. In this case, a Himalayan birch was carried up to the top floor of the latest construction on the site. Attendees at the ceremony also signed a column to mark the occasion.

Richard Cook, head of residential at Lend Lease, said: “That column will be boxed off and become part of somebody’s apartment. And you never know, in 30, 40, 100 years time, someone might find this column again. It’s our own little time capsule that’s hidden away behind somebody’s wall.”

When it is finished in approximately 2021, the site will contain 22,000 sq ft of green roof space, cycle parking, lawned areas and electric car charging points.

Mr Cook added: “Hungate is a great example of regeneration. We got involved in 2005 and this was derelict industrial land. Now we’ve completed our first phase and are on-site with the second phase.

“In totality we’re looking to create 1000 new homes here on a site which is 2 minutes’ walk into the centre of York. So brownfield land has a real part to play, and in terms of sustainability it’s key to creating new homes in the UK.