A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to demolish a Victorian house in a York conservation area and replace it with a block of flats has been rejected.

More than 20 residents applauded councillors when they decided to throw out the contentious plans for St Mary's, off Bootham.

York developer Hogg the Builder had applied to knock down a two-storey home and erect a four-storey block of nine apartments in its place.

But residents, led by the St Mary's Conservation Group, mounted a stern campaign of resistance, criticising the size, position and "needless" demolition of a home.

Speaking after the decision, architect Moray Mackay, a member of the group and St Mary's resident, said people had suggested organising a street party to mark the decision.

He said: "We're absolutely delighted. The planning committee deserve the applause because their decision was unanimous and correct.

"It has been proven that this application was totally unsuitable for the street. It really is a sensible decision."

Councillors heard last night how residents believed the proposed building would have a "devastating" effect on the pretty street by increasing traffic and blocking views.

Neil Jackson, a professor of architecture at the University of Leeds, said: "Conservation areas by their nature require extra care and this application makes little concession towards its context."

But David Chapman, speaking on behalf of the builder, said "any building" on the site would create overshadowing for the street.

Councillors said they were concerned by the rear of the proposed building, which would have extended beyond its neighbours, and by the unnecessary demolition of the current house.

They rejected both the building and demolition plans.

Coun Ruth Potter said: "We should not be demolishing perfectly good buildings. If we look at the embedded energy of those buildings it is unsustainable.

"I'm concerned that it is an overdevelopment of the site and I support the speakers who said we need family housing in this city, not flats."

CounChris Hogg said: "It is a reasonable building and we have heard people have put offers in for this house. It seems ridiculous to knock it down."

Updated: 10:18 Friday, July 02, 2004