PLANS to demolish a York nursing home and replace it with 24 flats look set to be given the green light - despite protests from local residents.

The blueprint to knock down the private Laurens Manor Nursing Home and empty workers' lodgings at the rear will go before City of York Council on Thursday.

Officers recommend it for approval despite criticism.

The report says Laurens Manor, in Lawrence Street, is due to close because of costs tied to upgrades.

The council asked the applicant, Tony Tait, why his existing Victorian-era building could not be converted. But Mr Tait said the site - which became a home in 1989 and was formerly a hotel - was unsuitable because of its spacious rooms.

Council development control officer Mick Britton said: "The loss of this attractive Victorian building is regrettable and its retention would have been preferable.

"However, it is considered that the proposed development would not, on balance, cause harm to residents and would also make an acceptable contribution to the appearance of the street."

Residents, however, raised concerns that the area was already overdeveloped with apartments.

They also said the proposed three-storey block was "completely lacking in imagination, character and amenity".

Lawrence Street resident Karen Wood said she was disappointed that the nursing home looked like being the next historic building on the street to vanish.

Mum-of-two Mrs Wood, 35, said: "It's a shame such beautiful old buildings are disappearing.

"We signed a petition recently to try to stop the vicarage being knocked down for a Barratts development. The thinking behind these developments is good, because they are close to the city centre and get people out of cars.

"But instead of being demolished some old buildings could be incorporated. The nursing home is another one I think should be saved."

When the Evening Press contacted Mr Tait, we were told that he was away.

As part of the scheme, £39,618 will be pumped into local primary education and another £20,328 towards open space provision.

Archaeologists have already dug part of the site before work starts.

The nursing home runs close to a former Roman Road from the city centre and was close to a medieval leper hospital in Lawrence Street.

Updated: 08:47 Monday, November 10, 2003