AN affordable housing development in Richmond has won a civic award.

The Richmond and District Civic Society has given a civic award to Broadacres Housing Association for its Priory House scheme, opposite The Station complex.

Broadacres transformed a rundown former Arriva bus depot into a 24-home development for people working in Richmondshire.

Richmond and District Civic Society Chairman, John McDonald, said: “The Civic Society wish to congratulate Broadacres for the construction and development of the Priory House project.

“We feel the development for social housing is entirely in keeping with the needs of the community and in empathy with the surrounding historic area.”

During the planning of the scheme, Broadacres worked closely with local people and St Martin’s Parish Council to ensure the development would be sympathetic to the area. A competition to name the scheme was run in conjunction with The Station and the winner was Julie Ward, who lives in one of the Station Cottages, behind the new scheme.

Fiona Coleman, Broadacres’ Development Manager, said: “Even though we were replacing an eyesore former bus depot, we knew from the outset that the design of the development had to reflect the historic nature of this part of Richmond.

“Working with our architect, Downes Ilingworth Partnership, we devised a scheme that ensure the design and materials blend in with the existing streetscape.

“We received tremendous support from the local community and to receive this award from the Richmond and District Civic Society is fantastic.”