TODAY we publish the first illustration showing how the Bootham Engineers' site in York could be transformed under plans going to councillors next week.

Under the plan, a new housing development would take the place of the factory, which could include several "eco-friendly" homes.

The second illustration shows what the company's new Clifton Moor factory would look like.

The long-established firm, which changed its name to Downing and Mills Engineering Services two months ago, has drawn up an unusual deal with design-and-build firm, Severfield-Reeve.

Severfield has agreed to build a new factory for the firm at Clifton Moor in return for its existing site in Lawrence Street.

Meanwhile, it has worked with Wainhomes and York Housing Association to draw up plans for new housing on the old site.

This would include 211 high-quality apartments as well as 18 subsidised apartments. Another 18 houses will be designed as "eco-friendly" homes, built from environmentally friendly or recyclable materials.

The development has been designed to suit people who will have less dependence on cars because they will be close to the city centre.

The Clifton Moor plans, on a four-acre site at Amy Johnson Way, close to the Warner Brothers Cinema complex, would include eight workshops and offices.

Bootham Engineers was founded in 1932 on Bootham Row and has been based at its existing 50,000 square foot site since 1975.

The company carries out the specialist repair and re-engineering of mechanical parts for process and heavy industries.

Lindsay Ross, managing director of Severfield-Reeve, said: "The relocation project provides new premises for Downing and Mills and simultaneously provides city centre housing while avoiding the use of a greenfield site."

Plans for both sites go before planning councillors on Thursday.

Both have been recommended for approval by council officers, with conditions.