THE first factory-built affordable housing scheme outside London is coming to York.

The £2m project, by City of York Council and Yorkshire Housing, will see Portakabin subsidiary Yorkon build 48 steel-framed modules to provide 24 houses on the site of the former Tang Hall Canteen, in Sixth Avenue.

Designed by Cartwright Pickard Architects, the four-storey project is due for completion in less than eight months.

The units will be built at Yorkon's 60-acre factory in York, before being lifted into position, with all facilities already in place.

Both Yorkon and Cartwright Pickard were appointed following their successful involvement in the award-winning Murray Grove housing scheme, in London, the UK's first multi-storey housing scheme to be built in a factory.

Councillor Viv Kind, City of York Council's executive member for housing, said: "This is a very exciting project, which is going to provide low-maintenance, high-quality, innovative homes for people in York unable to compete in the city's high-cost, high-demand housing market.

"The project also means the council can meet its commitment to develop brownfield sites, encourage sustainable development and promote partnerships."

Keith Blanshard, director and general manager at Yorkon, said: "The pioneering Sixth Avenue project applies all the lessons learnt from our involvement in the acclaimed Murray Grove housing scheme.

"We are delighted that the first project outside London will take place just down the road from our headquarters and look forward to providing much-needed, affordable, high-quality housing for the people of York."

There are 4,500 people on the city's housing waiting list.