THE notorious "splash palace" is destined to be the latest in a long line of York buildings to be consigned to the history books.

So as council chiefs debate its future, we remember other landmarks in the city that were either destroyed or reinvented.

One of the most controversial demolitions was that of Burton Croft, the former home of renowned conservationist John Bowes Morrell.

Campaigners fought the demolition proposals for years after the building closed as a BUPA nursing home about six years ago.

However, a development of Barratt Homes apartments was eventually built on the site, and the only remaining evidence of the historic building's existence is a small commemorative plaque.

Meanwhile, fond memories are still held of York's former cinemas.

There was the ABC cinema, in Piccadilly, which closed in 1986 to make way for a Marks & Spencer home store. In its heyday it was described as having "the highest possible standards in luxury cinema".

Others include The Picture House, in Coney Street; The Grand, in Clarence Street; and Victoria Hall, in Goodramgate, where films were shown from 1908. It was known later as the Albany, and went on to become a popular dance hall.

The Ben Johnson's factory in Boroughbridge Road, York, was another much-loved landmark.

The factory was built after the company's original premises, in Micklegate, were damaged by fire in 1932.

Ben Johnson was later taken over by RR Donnelley and production moved to Flaxby Moor, near the A1 between York and Knaresborough, in 2000. In 2001, the 17.5-acre factory site was sold to housebuilder Persimmon.

Many people can also remember when the old George Hotel was demolished in the 1950s to make way for Stonebow.

In October 1955, the mayoral car took the first journey down the newly-created Stonebow and York Civic Trust was delighted with the new street. "Posterity will have nothing but praise for the opening up within the walls of this fine new street," it said in its annual report. "The sacrifice of the Old George Hotel has not only already made a dignified curving roadway - and roads can be beautiful in themselves - but has opened out exciting possibilities for dignity and design along its course. And how superbly it has been named."