A NEW community has been born as the first phase of a multi-million pound development of affordable homes for York is now ready.

Eighty-five new residents have now moved into their new homes – 20 two-bedroom apartments at Birch Park – and they celebrated with a fun day organised by social housing provider Yorkshire Housing.

Another three phases are being planned by Urban I, York Limited, and by the time it is completed in early 2011 Birch Park development will also consist of six three-bed homes, two four-bed homes for social rent, and 12 two-bed apartments, two three-bed houses and one four-bed house for discount sale.

Paul Atkins, senior development project manager at Yorkshire Housing, said this was one of the largest developments in York delivering affordable housing through a Section 106 agreement, in which developers allocate an element as affordable housing.