PLANS to develop the site of a community centre into new homes, a shop, and a new, smaller, centre, have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

City of York councillors have agreed in principle to dispose of part of the Chapelfields Community Centre site for new development.

Seven affordable three-bedroom houses are planned for the site.

The whole area had become rundown following problems with antisocial behaviour at neighbouring shops and flats at Sanderson House.

Following these problems, permission was granted last year to demolish Sanderson House and build 12 affordable homes at this site.

The new plans for developing the community centre site into housing will form part this new development.

A new community centre will be built at the Chapelfields site, at a cost of £350,000.

City of York Council leader, Dave Merrett, said: "It is a very promising development, and we have to support all the hard work and effort which has been put into this plan."

Councillors also approved a report giving guidance to local authorities about their duty of establishing a preventative strategy for young people.

This plan is aimed at "ensuring children and young people have the opportunity to lead a full healthy and satisfying life".

It aims to identify vulnerable groups in York develop networks of services for children and their families, build trust across professions and organisations and measure success of these measures.

It was greeted warmly by councillors as a way of continuing to provide a strong service for children and young people.

Updated: 10:46 Monday, April 07, 2003