CONTROVERSIAL plans to convert a former York family pub to flats in a prized conservation area look likely to be turned down.

Neighbours of The Gimcrack pub in Fulford Road will welcome news that City of York Council planners have told elected members to refuse plans to build 24 flats and houses on the site.

But councillors are set to give the green light to the conversion of the former The Frog Hall pub, in Layerthorpe, to a shop and flat with improved car parking and access.

Property owners no longer wish to redevelop the pub, which has been standing empty since it was closed in January 2002, into a video shop and a fast food drive-in restaurant.

Planners welcomed the retention of the existing building which they said would "benefit the townscape" of Layerthorpe and said the extra revisions were in keeping with its design.

Gimcrack owners PD Smith Holdings, of Strensall, were told last November to submit better reasons why they needed to demolish an outbuilding, formerly used as a stable block, beside the pub's main building.

They want to convert the main building to eight flats and a pair of two-storey blocks of houses and apartments in the grounds at the rear of the site.

Resident's groups, including Fishergate planning panel and York Green Party, objected to the development on the grounds of over-development and increased traffic.

More than 30 letters were sent to the council by individuals who complained of the loss of a social amenity, damage to trees, security fears and the removal of a green space.

In the report, planner Hannah Blackburn said: "There has been strong opposition from local residents regarding the development, particularly the proximity of new build to existing dwellings, in terms of enclosure, dominance, overlooking and overshadowing."

She recommends councillors refuse the latest application on the grounds that the proposed demolition of the outbuilding would have an "adverse effect" on the area's appearance.

She said the "size and aesthetic merits" of the proposed replacement housing block would "not respect" the main Gimcrack building and would be to the detriment of the conservation area.

Councillors will meet to vote on the recommendations at a meeting at York Guildhall next Thursday, at 3pm.

Updated: 08:28 Friday, February 06, 2004