Help us to design homes that are a joy to live in, council tells architects

A COUNCIL is looking for an architect to design homes that will be a “joy to live in” as it embarks on its biggest house-building programme since the 1970s.

In January York Council bosses announced plans to build more than 600 homes at sites across the city in the next five years.

Some 40 per cent of the housing will be affordable homes as part of a bid to make it easier for healthcare workers, teachers and people on low-incomes to get on the housing ladder.

Shared ownership schemes would mean first-time buyers could put down a deposit as small as £1,750 on a one-bedroom apartment.

And the authority is now inviting agencies to design developments as part of the tender process.

Coun Jenny Brooks, executive member for housing, said: “We want a competitive element to the tender to tease out agencies’ creativity, as well as to source the highest technical standards.

“We’re anticipating some highquality submissions to help us deliver 600 homes including family homes, apartments and bungalows, to help meet the city’s needs. I’m delighted by the significant levels of interest in this project.”

A council spokesman said the homes should be “healthy, a joy to live in and stand the test of time” as well as environmentally sustainable.

And architects should also aim to keep bills down for residents through the design of the homes.

The closing date for the first step is February 26 and anyone keen to apply should visit yortender.co.uk and search for reference code DN379215.