RESIDENTS of a York suburb have spoken of their outrage over plans to turn a former BUPA residential home into flats.

Burton Croft, in Burton Stone Lane, Clifton, closed last year after all 34 residents found alternative accommodation.

The site has remained boarded up ever since.

Now developer Barratt York Ltd has submitted a planning application that could see the Victorian-style building demolished and replaced with a three-story block of 24 flats.

But residents in Lumley Road, off Burton Stone Lane, fear the height of a three-story building would mean a huge loss of privacy and their houses being overlooked.

A brick wall currently separates Burton Croft from residents' gardens.

Barbara Dearlove, 53, said: "If they need to pull the wall down we'll be very over looked. Even if they don't, at three storeys high, I won't be happy at all with all those windows overlooking us."

Dick Midhage, who is in his 60s, said: "Ideally we would like to see the nice Victorian building retained. I think the amenities we've fought hard for will be spoilt by so many flats. There's not enough room for such a high density of flats. "

City of York Council has not yet set a date to discuss the application, but both Mr Midhage and Mrs Dearlove intend to go along to voice their objections.

Sam Waudby, leader of Clifton Liberal Democrats, said: "A lot of residents have said they would like to see the existing building adapted rather than the whole thing pulled down.

"It's a good building and I think people are concerned that if it's left for a long period of time then it will become an eyesore. Time after time developers are allowed to leave buildings empty over a long period of time. We don't want Burton Croft to end up in a similar situation."

Chris McSharry, BUPA's assistant regional director, said: "Burton Croft is currently being sold, subject to contract.

"We have put security measures in place to secure the building and have arranged for the grounds to be tidied."

A Barratt spokesman confirmed a planning application had been submitted, but refused to comment further at this stage.

Updated: 09:05 Friday, May 16, 2003