"GREEN" homes built from recycled materials to high energy-saving standards are to be built on a former factory site in York.

The St Nicholas Court development will see 18 flats built on the brownfield site overlooking the St Nicholas Fields urban nature park, in Tang Hall.

Campaigners estimate the homes, which will feature hi-tech insulation made from newspaper and sophisticated plumbing systems to reduce water use, could cost as little as £1-a-week to run.

Bosses at York Housing Association, which is responsible for the scheme, say the homes will be offered to people on existing waiting lists who have shown an interest in a "greener" lifestyle.

Association officers have worked for more than five years to bring their plans to fruition and had already been given planning permission before finally securing the land this week.

Development and property manager John Gilham said: "We are delighted that the scheme can now be built. As an association, we have always been interested in energy efficiency. We are environmentally and socially concerned about providing affordable housing whilst at the same time reducing the running costs for tenants.

"We have been balancing initial construction costs against the lifetime costs to ensure that the buildings are cost-effective to maintain over the years."

Architect Phil Bixby, of York-based Constructive Individuals, said the development should have a positive impact on the environment and transport issues.

He said innovative features such as automatic mechanical ventilation systems and state-of-the-art insulation will mean low-energy costs for tenants.

The development will consist of eight two-bedroom houses, eight three-bed houses and two three-bed bungalows, the latter for families who include a wheelchair user.

Yorkshire Wildlife Trust has suggested a planting scheme to encourage wildlife and safe play areas have been designed for children in the south-facing gardens.

Gordon Campbell-Thomas, a director of York Sustainable Developments Ltd, which has highlighted the issue of environmentally-sound buildings, said he was delighted with the news.

He said: "If we are going to have a future and address the issues of global warming and energy use, then this is the way forward."

Updated: 10:44 Saturday, June 07, 2003