Care flats scheme thrown out

4:17pm Wednesday 27th June 2007

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CONTROVERSIAL plans for a housing scheme in south York have been thrown out.

City of York Council's planning committee last night considered an application by the Royal Masonic Benevolent Institution (RMBI) to build sheltered accommodation, extend a unit for mentally frail elderly people, and construct a three-storey block of flats as part of the Connaught Court development in Fulford.

There has been strong local opposition to the scheme, and council officers had recommended it should be rejected, but only on the grounds that a new bowling green is inadequate compared to the one it is replacing.

Both Fulford Parish Council and Fulford Friends were opposed to the scheme along with local councillors.

Coun Keith Aspden, who represents Fulford residents, said: "A large number of local residents have spoken to me about this issue. They are very concerned that the development is out of character with Fulford, especially when you remember that this is a conservation area.

"Residents have also raised issues relating to the loss of the greenbelt character and many mature trees.

"That is why I called for these plans to be rejected."

Councillors voted unanimously to reject the plans, citing the detrimental impact they would have on the conservation area, the risk to trees and the loss of amenity among their reasons.