AN ICONIC chocolate factory building could be turned into 173 new homes by the end of summer if planning permission is approved.

Plans have been submitted to turn the landmark Terry’s Chocolate Works, near York Racecourse, into apartments.

The Chocolate Works was the confectionary factory of Terry’s of York, where Terry’s Chocolate Orange and All Gold were once produced. It closed in 2005 with the loss of 300 jobs, after Kraft Food moved production to its other sites in Europe.

Heritage developer the PJ Livesey Group is now proposing to turn the Grade II listed, multi-storey factory into what it says will be high quality new homes, many of which will have views over the River Ouse and York Racecourse.

PJ Livesey director James Woodmansee, said: “Only rarely do buildings of this significance and potential become available and we are very excited to be working with Henry Boot Developments, the site owners, to bring it back into use.

“We have vast experience of preserving and converting heritage assets such as this and delivering high quality projects that stand the test of time and which themselves become a legacy for the community.”

Ben Ward, director of Henry Boot Developments, which owns the site, said: “We believe that PJ Livesey will be an excellent custodian of the former main factory building on the site. They have a proven track record of producing high quality and sensitive schemes within heritage buildings.

“Submitting the planning application is an important step forward in preserving these buildings for future generations.”

“We are making progress on high quality proposals for the remainder of the site, including the clock tower and the HQ building on Bishopthorpe Road, and we hope to make further announcements shortly.”