SIX blocks of flats are planned for a site next to the former Frog Hall public house in York.

Time was called on the Layerthorpe pub in 2002, despite a campaign by the Campaign for Real Ale and local residents, who fought to keep it open.

Tiger Developments Ltd hopes to build 184 flats with car and cycle parking on the 2.4 acre site, which includes part of the former gas works behind the Frog Hall and land next to the pub which is used to sell second-hand cars. The plans also include open space with a riverside walkway and a new highway from Layerthorpe to the northern boundary of the site.

Planning officer Roger Armistead said the land was contaminated and the council would be consulting the Environment Agency. He said the land already had planning permission for retail use.

There is already a development of 148 flats set to be built on the former gasworks site at Layerthorpe by Persimmon Homes.

Heworth councillor Ruth Potter said this new development could make existing problems in the area worse.

"Half a dozen traffic junctions in the area are already at capacity and we need to make sure there are enough places at the local schools," she said.

She called for a masterplan for the Foss Basin area and said without an overall plan there was a danger the area would become overdeveloped.

"At the moment, large developments are being dealt with on an individual basis and it's happening in a very unplanned way."

Geoff Henman, from the York branch of CAMRA, said all the developments in the area made it more important for the Frog Hall building to be reopened as a pub.

The pub building will not be affected by the development and is expected to be converted into a shop with upstairs flat.

Updated: 10:43 Monday, June 07, 2004