A SOUTHAMPTON housing development is one of just five in the country to be awarded a Building for Life Gold Standard recognising quality design.

Persimmon Homes' Chapel development near St Mary's Stadium is credited with regenerating a previous no-go area', prompting investment in a new park and the refurbishment of a disused footbridge across rail tracks connecting to the town centre.

Of the 174 houses and flats, three per cent are shared ownership, 34 per cent affordable rent and 63 per cent open market sales. Many of the affordable homes have been made available to people living in the local area. Backed by government architecture adviser CABE and the housing industry, the gold award is the national standard for design quality in new housing.

Representatives from Persimmon Homes, Swaythling Housing Society and Southampton City Council turned out for the unveiling of a plaque marking the achievement.

Wayne Hemingway, chairman of Building for Life, said: "I don't think we have seen a better development since we have been doing Building for Life."

Nick Murphy, executive director for Neighbourhoods at the city council, attended and said: "We are absolutely delighted with the development of these new homes in the city centre and we were extremely happy to win an award for the scheme which has created more affordable housing for local people. It is a great example of innovation in Southampton and a taster of our ambitions for the city overall."