A FRESH plan to call time on yet another York pub and replace it with an apartment block has been submitted to councillors.

The revised application to demolish the Magpie Inn, Townend Street, and build a four-storey block of 20 apartments will go before the city council's planning panel next Thursday.

Aberford Investments, which owns the pub, in The Groves, first applied to knock it down in April.

But a wrangle over a right of way has led to a fresh application being sent to planners.

In March, the Evening Press reported how new pub bosses Brian and Ann-Marie Davies were working flat out to prove to the pub's owners that the pub should keep serving. They redecorated, hosted live music nights and launched drinks promotions to attract students.

However, Aberford Investments has persisted with its application and City of York Council officers are recommending new plans be approved.

Since the Magpie's plight hit the headlines, a new York-based team has taken over.

Worker Tracy Brind, said her brother Simon had taken over as landlord and her mother, Julia Freed, was the new bar manager.

They only took over last week, but were made aware there plans were in the pipeline.

"We've definitely got the pub for six months," she said. "But we don't know what's going to happen after that."

She said Brian and Ann-Marie left about three weeks ago, before the new team took over on October 18.

She said: "Things are ticking over quite nicely at the moment.

"I'm not sure if we are going to do anything to save it at the moment - it's out of our hands.

"We're just getting to know everybody."

Back in March Aberford Investments said that, despite pleas from regulars to save the venue, it still plans to sell up.

Planning consultant Martin Beal said: "We are continuing along our original path."

Nobody from Aberford Investments was available for comment today.

If last orders are called this time, the Magpie would be the latest in a line of York pubs which have been shut to make way for redevelopment.

The Gimcrack, in Fulford, closed in September 2002, and repeated applications have been submitted to see it turned into residential accommodation.

Only a few months earlier, in January 2002, Frog Hall, in Layerthorpe, was shut.

The site is currently being converted into a flat and a shop.

Later that year it was also announced that it was last orders at The Starting Gate, in Tadcaster Road, another site being converted into housing.

Updated: 10:10 Saturday, October 30, 2004