THE site of a York factory where disabled workers once made chemical warfare suits for the military could be turned into a car workshop and taxi office.

City of York Council has received plans from the new owners of the former Remploy plant in Redeness Street to redevelop it as a space to work on vehicles and a warehouse.

The building was bought for £180,000 at auction last September after Remploy closed the factory, which employed 51 disabled workers, almost a year ago.

Now Layerthorpe-based York Motor Factors wants to make changes to the 71,000-plus square foot factory. Planners are set to make a decision next month.

Company director Barry O’Brien said: “We are looking to expand our business as we are running short of space at our current premises and need extra warehouse facilities and car parking.”

If successful, he said: “We would look to rent part of the building to a local taxi company. The factory is ridiculously handy, but the application is because of our space issues rather than to create more jobs.”

Meanwhile, York MP Hugh Bayley is set to meet Remploy chief executive Tim Matthews to discuss ex-workers’ anger at what they claim were “broken promises” to offer support and set up a York employment office – claims Remploy denies.

“I want assurances that the money Remploy spent on the York factory each year will now be spent on providing job opportunities for disabled people in other ways,” he said.

“From what I have been told, it appears nothing like that is being done and this money is being spent in other areas. That would be completely unacceptable as disabled people in York need the same support they had a year ago.

“There must be employment programmes in York which are at least as effective as the Remploy factory was.”

A Remploy spokeswoman said: “Tim Matthews has sent a meeting request to Hugh Bayley and is awaiting a response.

“Remploy is working with Future Prospects, which has a high street presence in York. This partnership means there is an accessible presence for Remploy, enabling us to best support disabled people in York into employment.

“When the factory was closed, we committed to finding jobs for 50 disabled people per year, every year, in the York area by 2012 and we are still committed to this.

“All employees who chose to remain on Remploy terms and conditions are in work or in work placements which we are confident will lead to permanent employment, except for one person who was not happy in their placement and who is now undergoing pre-employment activities with us. We are committed to offering everybody the full support they need.”