THE first factory-built affordable housing scheme in York has picked up a prestigious design award.

The Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors has given a 2002 Design and Innovation Award to the flats scheme in Sixth Avenue, Tang Hall.

The flats, which were put up by the Yorkshire Housing Group in partnership with City of York Council, were manufactured in York by Portakabin subsidiary Yorkon, and designed by Cartwright Pickard Architects.

The homes were occupied at the beginning of the year and are managed by Ryedale Housing Association, a member of the Yorkshire Housing Group.

The apartments had been craned on to pre-prepared foundations on a brownfield site in just a few days, complete with bathrooms, kitchens, plumbing, heating, doors and windows.

By employing a more innovative approach to construction and a partnering arrangement, the development programme for the Sixth Avenue apartments was halved.

From inception to completion, the total programme took less than 15 months, helping to address the shortfall in the number of affordable homes in York.

The four-storey £2 millom development consists of 24 three-, two- and one-bedroom homes. The apartments have a mixed community of families, single people, couples and the elderly and each apartment has the benefit of a timber-decked balcony or private garden area.

There is also a secure landscaped courtyard with BBQ area, cycle storage facility and car parking.

Peter Atkinson, group property director with Yorkshire Housing, said: "Yorkshire Housing is keen to seek innovative and positive housing solutions such as this as part of a diverse yet balanced development programme.

"In this case, we worked well with our partners to deliver a bold and attractive scheme that is helping to meet the housing needs of York, and we are now looking at a number of other modular projects as part of our ongoing commitment to innovation."

Keith Blanshard, director and general manager of Yorkon, said: "This pioneering scheme illustrates the benefits of building off-site, a genuine partnership approach and contemporary architectural design.

"The award from the RICS is further evidence of the team's success, and in particular, the vision of the client."

Updated: 09:33 Friday, January 03, 2003