Potential buyers flocked into a sales event with a difference at Leeds's Granary Wharf, when the first door was opened at the ISIS Waterside Regeneration development.

When complete, the scheme, part of Holbeck Urban Village, will include two 282-apartment buildings and a 333-room hotel.

Campaigning chef Jamie Oliver has also earmarked the site for one of his Fifteen Foundation restaurants.

A show apartment has been opened for viewing, as an example of a communal area to be known as The Hub.

Entertainment was provided by Leeds busker Tristan McKay, and narrow boat trips were led by veteran tourist board guide Ken Gore.

Al Dickens, the project's manager, said the idea behind the scheme was to produce an environmentally responsible community that is open to all local people.

"We want people living around the corner in Holbeck to feel this is their space as well," he said. "That they have just as much right to come and sit in the open spaces as someone who lives here."

As well as The Hub, an indoor communual area and large amounts of public open space are to be included in the development.

ISIS, named after the Egyptian god of rebirth, who was closely linked to water, plans to stage regular events and entertainment in those spaces.

The company will also spend thousands of pounds on adding shrubbery and a long pipe that an otter will use to move between the canal and the River Aire.

And it is to include a dry dock area for canal boats.

Mr Dickens added: "Entertainment could be farmers' markets, flea markets, street theatre. Tristan McKay represents the sort of thing we would like to see happening here in the future.

"As for the otter, we thought that if we are creating cool pads for people we should be creating cool pads for otters as well.

"We do have a different approach, we hope it will help other developers realise there is a new way of doing things.

"There is a recognition from our shareholders that some previous regeneration has not been done well. It lacked subtlety and social conscience."