PLANS for more than 16,000sq ft of riverside offices within York city centre are set to receive approval from councillors.

Developer Grays Wharf Limited is seeking planning consent for a commercial building in Navigation Road, backing on to Wormald's Cut, the boat basin of the River Foss. More than 250 jobs are likely to be created by the scheme.

The four-storey L-shaped block will have an additional two floors in the north-west corner to accommodate two three-bedroom apartments and parking for 47 cars.

The site is occupied by Grays Newsagents, a distribution centre for newspapers and magazines, which will move to an alternative site in James Street.

The application was lodged with council planners in April and originally proposed two buildings and a basement car park for 87 vehicles. But the plans were altered because it was felt that one of the blocks was too close to existing residential properties.

The internal layout is undergoing further revision to cut down on noise disruption to the apartments from neighbouring commercial properties.

Opponents of the scheme are concerned about the height of the proposed building, which would be in a conservation area, and the loss of riverside trees.

But City of York Council development control officer, Simon Glazier, said in a report to councillors: "The existing buildings on the site are of no architectural merit and their removal, along with the redevelopment of the site, is to be welcomed in principle.

"It is considered that the new building would be of an appropriate design and appearance, and would make a positive contribution to the area in urban design terms."

The trees lost would only be of limited public amenity value, said Mr Glazier, and redevelopment of the site would create a major employment opportunity in a highly sustainable city centre location.

He is recommending that councillors approve the application, subject to a number of conditions and a contribution of £24,195 for highways and public transport improvements.

Construction work will be limited to between 8am and 6pm, Monday to Friday, and from 9am to 1pm on Saturdays.

The council's planning committee will consider the application on Wednesday in the Guildhall at 4.30pm.

Updated: 10:10 Monday, October 25, 2004