A STREET of empty houses could be demolished and replaced by quality homes as part of a £1m "showpiece" development.

Malton building company S Harrison Development has bought the 57 derelict buildings, formerly owned by the Ministry of Defence, in Tedder Road, Acomb, York.

The company is hoping to revive the 3.1-acre site by working with City of York Council to pull down neighbouring properties to build council-owned homes.

Harrison director Ian Falshaw said: "At present, the area is a mixture of derelict homes. We could simply refurbish the 57 dwellings we have acquired.

"Ideally though, we would like to take the whole area and give it a new lease of life, including replacing 40 council homes with a number of new homes for rent."

The scheme would replace the Tedder Road homes with a mix of private and rented two and three-bedroom houses and apartments.

"Our plans are dependent on the co-operation of the council's housing and planning teams, and we have already started a dialogue with them," said Mr Falshaw.

"With their support, a run-down area could become a showpiece development within two years."

A council spokeswoman said: "The council has started initial discussions with S Harrison Development, but no decisions have been made on the future of any of these homes.

"A proposal may come before councillors at some point in the future, but there are no plans at the moment. The council has not yet had any detailed consultation with the local residents."