AN AWARD-winning architectural practice has put forward a major development idea for Malton and Norton which could result in hundreds of new jobs being created.

Bramhall Blenkharn, which has its headquarters at The Maltings, Malton, envisages a new road being built from York Road, Malton, to Welham Road, Norton, on a prime site south of the York Road Industrial Estate.

Opening the multi-acre site up for development could create opportunities for new homes, workspace, retailing and potentially a new school, believes partner Ric Blenkharn. He says a footbridge over the railway would help solve the acute traffic problems in the twin towns.

Part of the former Yorkshire and Northern Woolgrowers site and some land owned by the Fitzwilliam Estate would be involved in the ambitious scheme, which, he added, would see Bramhall Blenkharn working with Malton builders Harrison, and landowners.

The scheme, which would be known as Derwent Park, is now being put forward to Ryedale District Council as an option for the authority’s 16-year planning blueprint for the district, the Local Development Framework.

Eight acres of the site would be used for employment opportunities, and between 1,200 and 1,250 new homes – the number planned for Malton and Norton in the long term – could be built in the area, together with a new food store. There would also be leisure facilities and play spaces created on the site, Mr Blenkharn said.

“The whole scheme has the potential to create a new vibrancy in Malton and Norton,” he added.

The likely long-term investment is likely to run into “mega sums,” predicted Mr Blenkharn.

News of the multi-million pound dream scheme comes hot on the heels of Bramhall Blenkharn winning the prestigious Royal Institute of British Architects’ White Rose Silver Award and its Sustainable Futures Award for the Pad 55 housing development in Pickering.

“This makes a total of 10 big awards we have won this year for various projects in Yorkshire,” said Mr Blenkharn, who was a partner with Ashfield Architects, while Mark Bramhall was project director with Sir Norman Foster and Partners in London before they set up Bramhall Blenkharn in Malton in 2000.

The practice, which also includes leading landscape architect Steve Bean, and Rachel McLean, a Helmsley interior designer, now has 36 architectural awards to its credit, several for schemes in Ryedale, including The Maltings, Sycamore House, Sylvan housing development and Walnut Green sheltered housing, together with the Scampston Walled Garden, Scarborough Business Centre, and Lebberston Hall.

“We are delighted with the success in winning yet more awards,” said Mr Blenkharn. However, he added, the growing volume of bureaucracy is having a major impact on architects, especially so far as affordable housing is concerned.