YORK desperately needs new homes – especially ones ordinary local people can afford. So it is excellent news that Associated British Foods (ABF) has submitted plans for the redevelopment of the old British Sugar factory off Boroughbridge Road.

The plans, which have been drawn up following what ABF says was an extensive public consultation, include not only 1,100 homes, but also a new primary school, nursery school, sports hall and public open spaces.

That sounds like just what the doctor ordered for York. This huge brownfield site within the outer ring road has lain empty since the factory closed in 2007. Its development will potentially go some way to addressing York’s chronic need for new homes.

Coming on top of recent progress on the Terry’s and Hungate sites, and the potential breakthrough on the nearby York Central site behind the station, this suggests that the chronic stagnation of York’s housing market may at last be coming to an end.

It is still early days. Council planners have yet to validate the application, so full details are yet to be unveiled. Access will be by a new road across the old Manor School site, as well as along Millfield Lane and Plantation Drive. But council planners will need to ensure the development includes the right mix of affordable, smaller and larger family homes, as well as sufficient green space.

It would be nice to see a bit of joined-up thinking over this site and York Central, so the two complement each other. All in all, however, it is heartening to see plans for this prime site at last taking shape.