A YORK councillor has criticised plans to demolish a former BUPA residential home and turn it into flats.

Clifton Councillor Alan Jones, said he was disappointed that Victorian-style building Burton Croft could soon be knocked down and turned into a three-storey block of 24 flats.

The former residential home, in Burton Stone Lane, closed its doors last year after all 34 residents found alternative accommodation.

But in a report to be discussed by councillors on Thursday, plans submitted by Barratt York Ltd have been recommended for approval.

Coun Jones fears traffic chaos and overshadowing of neighbouring properties will cause a loss of character to the area.

He said: "I'm very unhappy. There's been a number of developments already in that area and the traffic has increased tremendously. The roads are quite narrow down there and I don't know where all the new traffic is going to go.

"I'm disappointed that there's going to be no affordable homes provided with that development. Another thing that concerns me is that it's a fine building and it's a real shame they couldn't convert it rather than knock it down. It's been a feature of that road for an awfully long time. It's a lovely building." Coun Jones also expressed concern that Burton Croft was used as a roost for bats between 1985 and 1988.

Bats are protected species, and the report states it was likely that if Burton Croft was reoccupied and the heating restored, the bats might return to the building.

Coun Jones said it was "important" the bats were not harmed and hoped to meet a colleague before next weeks meeting to discuss the development.

A Barratt spokesman said: "The proposed scheme is very much in accordance with national guidance to build at higher densities on land with a former use rather than on greenfield land.

"Inevitably, this means an increased number of apartments which are

providing homes for sale and often rent to all sectors of society.

"Two independent experts have each confirmed that there are no bats at this

location."

Updated: 08:59 Tuesday, July 08, 2003