CONTROVERSIAL plans for a new block of flats in a York suburb have finally been agreed by councillors - at the fourth attempt.

City of York councillors yesterday agreed plans to build 67 flats on the site of Shelley House, Acomb Road, Holgate.

They agreed the fourth set of plans submitted by builder Barratt after the developer asked for more flats and plans were dismissed as "cheap and nasty" by councillors.

The development had raised many objections from residents in the surrounding area, but the plans were agreed by members of the West Area planning and transport sub committee after being recommended for approval by council head of development control Cliff Carruthers.

"We agreed the plans reservedly, as the best option that we could find for everybody," said committee member Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing.

But she said the committee had insisted that there was mature planting at the front of the building to try to soften the impact of the property.

She said: "There were also design changes to the affordable housing block which meant it didn't have as much detailed work on it.

"We have called for them to go back and make sure there is no distinguishable difference between the buildings. It's a little bit like ghettoisation."

Updated: 14:50 Friday, November 21, 2003