TWO thirds of all new homes in York are now apartments - and more family homes with gardens are needed.

That was the message from Lord Best as he retired after 18 years at the helm of the world-famous Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

He was giving a passionate defence of the charity's controversial plans for Derwenthorpe, a 540-home model village on York's eastern outskirts, which is awaiting a verdict from the Government this year after a public inquiry in 2006.

Lord Best said the foundation was trying to apply all the lessons it had learned over the years and produce a new model community for the 21st century in Derwenthorpe.

"In contrast to so much new development in York, as elsewhere, we want to build homes for families, with gardens, not small apartments," he told The Press.

"While in the country as a whole, the proportion of new homes that are flats has increased from 17 per cent to 52 per cent over the last decade, in York two-thirds of all new homes are apartments.

"Derwenthorpe seeks to change that trend and create a real new community for families."

Residents in the Osbaldwick and Tang Hall areas have fought a vigorous campaign against the project, amid fears about extra traffic on local roads and the loss of open space.

Lord Best said of the traffic controversy: "We want to tame the car and discourage its use through having the routes for people to cycle to town, to walk to school, to use the bus, to jog around the perimeter, with a car club to avoid the necessity for more car ownership.

He said: "I hope that, if the Derwenthorpe project proceeds, it will prove a lasting legacy for the citizens of York and a model for others in all parts of the country."

Lord Best, who was replaced today as director of the foundation by Julia Unwin, a former Charity Commissioner and chairwoman of the Refugee Council, spoke of the achievements of another Rowntree model village, New Earswick, saying it had remained an "extraordinarily attractive affordable housing project 100 years on."

He said: "It contrasts with so many of those social housing estates built in the 1960's and 70's which have already become so unpopular they are being pulled down.

"The emphasis of Joseph Rowntree was on creating a community, not just a collection of "housing units" and the hum of social activities in New Earswick's Folk Hall bears witness to the engagement of so many people in a range of events, clubs and societies.

"The hall is run by the people who use it and residents are very much part of the management of the whole village."