The redevelopment of York's 100 Discus Bungalows has taken a step closer as City of York Council began the search for a developer or housing association partner to help redevelop the sites.

The move follows a year of in-depth consultation with tenants of the council properties in St. Anne's Court, Horsman Avenue, Regent Street, Faber Street and Richmond Street, to find out how they would like to see the area redeveloped.

The existing homes were built in 1975/76 using non-traditional building methods and require significant improvements to bring them up to the government's Decent Homes Standard, as well as structural work to the roof and health and safety work to remove asbestos. It's estimated that the necessary work would cost £36,000 per property, which is more than three times the cost of modernising a traditionally built home, and would still leave the homes with a limited life expectancy.

Residents were asked for their views on a range of different options, including the possibility of demolishing the bungalows and redeveloping the site to provide them with brand new homes that better meet their needs. A residents' development committee has now been formed to ensure that the views of all residents are represented and heard.

Under the proposals put out to developers, the existing bungalows will be demolished and replaced with suitable, modern accommodation that meets the needs of existing and future residents is progressed.

A total of 100, new, two bed homes for the elderly will be built, of which:
- 60 will be two bed rented bungalows for the elderly
- 10 will be two bed rented homes.
- a 30 bed Extra Care unit
- additional affordable housing

All the homes must meet the government's new Efficiency Standard - Code for Sustainable Homes, the Lifetime Homes Standard and Secure by Design Standards.

Steve Waddington, head of Housing Services at City of York Council, said: "This is a great opportunity for the council, in partnership with the local community, to deliver an exemplar mixed tenure development. The project will not only meet the needs of today, but through the use of new innovative assistive technology will continue to meet the needs of local people for many years as well as provide much needed additional affordable housing."

Barry Ward, chair of the Discus Bungalow Residents' Development Association, said: "We are delighted to see that after many consultations and co-operation with councillors and council officers that we have a commitment  to new bungalows and extra care facilities for the Discus bungalow residents. 

"Together with the provision of much needed affordable housing we see this as a great opportunity to redevelop  these important sites on sustainable principles as a legacy to the future citizens of York."

Tenders from potential development / housing association partners are due in  by 20th July 2007.  The tenders will then be evaluated a recommendation made to the Councils Executive in September.