PLANS to convert a city centre York hotel into flats have been greeted with dismay by tourism chiefs.

Developers want to create 15 two-bedroom properties at the Bedford Hotel, in Bootham, which will result in the loss of 17 en-suite hotel rooms only five minutes walk from York Minster.

Ascot Developments, which bought the converted Victorian property in November, has submitted a planning application to City of York Council to convert the existing building into six two-bedroom flats.

They also plan to build a three-storey rear extension containing nine two-bedroom flats with a basement car park.

The scheme is just the latest proposal to replace pubs and clubs in York with flats and houses, with others closing including the Gimcrack in Fulford Road and the Starting Gate in Tadcaster Road.

Peter Mandy, of Ascot Developments, said the Bedford Hotel scheme was an attempt to cash in on York's lucrative housing market, but it would continue the current business if the planning application was refused.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of York Tourism Bureau, said the proposals were "disappointing news for tourism".

She said: "Our concern is not necessarily the loss of rooms, as this is made up for by other new hotels, but the loss of an individual Victorian property which offers something different to the visitor.

"One of York's strengths is the variety of accommodation on offer and we hope that this is not eroded too much in this buoyant property market."

The Bedford Hotel currently employs half-a-dozen staff and has 17 rooms for guests, a lounge and a dining area. It also has a bar which hosts regular events featuring Scarborough Jazz.

The application will be considered by councillors in July and, if successful, work will begin in the autumn.

Updated: 09:27 Saturday, May 22, 2004