Plans to build new council housing in the Clifton area of the city could be back on track, after the council resubmitted a bid to the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA).

The HCA recently announced a mini-bid round, inviting bids for grant funding for the building of affordable homes. This follows the news that earlier funding for the Lilbourne Drive housing development had been axed by the coalition Government.

Ward councillor David Scott welcomed the bid, saying:

"After seeing this put on a list of schemes likely to be scrapped, I'm pleased that York appears to be back in with a chance of securing the necessary funding for new council housing. The previous Government had committed £1.25m to building 21 homes in the Burdyke area of Clifton, a development that would have involved local apprenticeships. Apprenticeships also form part of the new bid and I hope the HCA looks at the acute need for affordable homes in York and agrees the funding required".

York's independent housing needs assessment carried out in 2007 highlighted the need for over new 1200 affordable homes each year in order to meet local need. Since then, those waiting to be housed has exceeded 3000 for the first time in years.

Coun. Ken King commented:

"The city needs the Lilbourne Drive housing development and also more like it in the future. Unfortunately the council is not blessed with available land but where it can, it should press for the funding that helps it add to its housing stock. The number of people waiting for housing is only going to go one way in the years to come, and that is up, not down.

"Should this bid be successful, the sustainability standards of the housing will be excellent and that would be great news for prospective tenants".

The HCA is expected to announce successful bidders on 7th September.