A scheme to build a £25m model village in York for the next century has captured the imagination of local people, according to the chairman of Tang Hall Residents' Association.

Community development officer Jacquie Dale, left, and Roland Crooke, director of housing operations, with the housing plans for Osbaldwick, York

David Wilson said more than 400 people had visited the site of the proposed development to find out more about the scheme. They also put forward their own ideas.

The fields near Burnholme Community College have long been earmarked for development and City of York Council and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation are working together on a 350-home community housing project for the new Millennium.

Keen to attract as many local people as possible, the two developers laid on a special minibus to take people to the Community Planning Day held in a marquee in fields off Metcalfe Lane behind the college.

David Wilson said local people were anxious to know more about the proposals and express their own ideas.

"The event was extremely well-attended," said Mr Wilson.

"More than 400 people came along and we were busy right through from start to finish.

"Local people are very keen to find out what is going on and to put forward their ideas and we are extremely pleased that the council and the Joseph Rowntree Foundation are involving local people in the initial planning process.

"People don't want to have something just foisted upon them and this has given them an opportunity to express their views. The Joseph Rowntree Foundation has an excellent reputation when it comes to housing."

Four proposals have been put forward for the 53-acre site, which will include homes both for sale and for rent. These will now be considered by a public consultation committee.

When it has made its choice the plan will be put on public display and people will once again be invited to express their views on it.

The development comes a century after Joseph Rowntree built New Earswick and it is hoped the new scheme will also be seen as a beacon for future schemes.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.