PLANS to tear down one of York's best-known pubs have been scrapped by a home builder.

Cleckheaton-based Jones Homes have withdrawn proposals to replace Fulford's Gimcrack Hotel with 19 new homes.

They were due to be considered by City of York Council today.

But opponent Andy D'Agorne has received a letter from the council saying the application had been withdrawn.

He said: "For us this is great news and we are hoping that it is the end of it.

"We were planning a celebration drink in the Gimcrack today if planners turned down the application, and I think that will certainly be going ahead now."

Opponents had collected 900 signatures objecting to the plans, which would build the houses in five blocks.

They claimed demolition would destroy a building which was central to the character of Fulford.

City of York Council planning officers agreed.

Although not listed, the pub is in the Fulford Road conservation area, which means special consideration needs to be given before permission is granted to change its appearance.

Hannah Jones, the council's development control officer, was due to tell councillors today: "No justification for the demolition of the Gimcrack building has been submitted and the architectural merits of the proposed replacement buildings are considered themselves not sufficient to justify demolition.

"As the loss of the Gimcrack building would have an adverse effect on the character and appearance of the Fulford Road conservation area, and as there is no justification for demolition... the proposal is considered not to be acceptable."

The plans also received opposition from the York Georgian Society, the Civic Trust and the Green Party.

A City of York Council spokeswoman said the company could reapply for planning permission.

A spokesman for Jones Homes declined to comment.

Updated: 11:28 Thursday, April 11, 2002