"Austin Smith Lord brought along a range of the building materials they will utilise on this scheme and that was very useful."
The architects spent almost a year in talks with council planners about the scheme. As well as agreeing to include more homes geared at family occupation, the architects also agreed on a style that would add a new character to a site left vacant since World War II.
Ms Dixon said: "We have been talking to the city planners since Day One, rather than coming up with a scheme and then getting their reaction.
"There has been a good collaboration and I think the scheme our team has come up with is really good. Double-facade developments will become more and more common because of the new rules.
"Screening and insulation is just as much about stopping too much heat from getting into a building as it is about heat loss.
"I am sure that the new scheme will add an interest to the Berry Street area of the city, without being 'in your face'."
Council planning manager Nigel Lee and his team welcomed the inclusion of town houses, saying it will attract more families back into the city centre where many residential developments have attracted single-occupancy professionals.
Frenson submitted the scheme for 70 residential units and 91 car parking spaces to the council for approval and planning managers are recommending that the go-ahead should be given.
The owners of two Chinese restaurants in Berry Street also objected to the plan, on the basis that it will make it harder for clients to reach their car parks.
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