PLANS to convert a York hotel into flats and houses look set to be given the go-ahead when they come before councillors this week.

City of York Council officers have recommended approval for plans to convert The Ambassador Hotel, The Mount, into two town houses and eight flats.

The news that The Ambassador is to close has caused dismay in the local visitor industry, with Kay Hyde, the PR manager for the city's tourism bureau, saying the loss of this "hotel of character" will be "a big loss for York".

The hotel, which was sold to Emblem Homes, was originally two buildings built in 1833 and 1900, with extensions added last century.

It is a grade two listed building and is within a conservation area. A related listed building planning consent application has also been submitted to City of York Council.

Under the plans, the structure would be converted into two town houses, with three and four bedrooms, and eight one and two bedroom flats. External alterations would include the reorganisation of parking to create 14 spaces and the creation of a communal garden for the flats and two private gardens for the town houses at the rear of the property. Two local residents have complained about the need to protect privacy and to request the retention of the trees.

But a report to councillors states: "The only valid planning representation received concerns privacy. As the trees should be kept, no new building is intended and there is a generous separation distance with the back garden of the hotel being 70 metres long, the writer's privacy is not considered to be in jeopardy."

The application will be discussed by the planning and transport sub-committee on Thursday from 5pm at the Guildhall.

Updated: 12:51 Tuesday, July 01, 2003