CONTROVERSIAL plans to build 24 flats on a former school site in York have been given the go-ahead, despite major opposition.

People living near the former Clifton Prep School site, in The Avenue, fought hard against the application from Barratts York Ltd.

Residents believed the buildings would be too high, and the extra traffic would create a hazard.

They applied to have the Clifton conservation area extended so that it would include the former school site - and so block the plans.

But City of York Council's Planning Committee approved the flats plan, and agreed that the only new streets in the conservation area would be Queen Anne's Road and North Parade.

Backing the residents, Coun Ken King said approving the application would mean more over-development in York.

"It is time to call a halt. Further generations have got to live with it and wonder what we were doing with some of these obnoxious developments - just as we wonder about some from the 1960s."

Clifton councillor Alan Jones was loudly applauded when he said: "There are serious concerns about access to the site, which is an already congested area of Clifton, particularly when children are going to and from school.

"It is only a matter of time until there is an accident if this is approved.

"We have also seen almost universal rejection of the scheme from the people of Clifton."

But Coun Martin Brumby said: "On balance, the scheme is acceptable. Very little has changed since the previous scheme, which we also approved, so I am happy to support it."

Coun Brumby was referring to an earlier Barratts plan which prompted the residents to apply for a judicial review - a request that is still being considered.

Planning consultant David Johnson said the flats design was one that had been used elsewhere in York.

"Its impact is considered to be acceptable to conservation areas," he said.

After the meeting, the chairman of Clifton Residents' Association, Keith Wood, said: "Naturally we are very disappointed, but this may not end here.

"We will go away, have a long talk and decide what to do next.

"We have fought this a long way and we are ready to fight on."

Updated: 10:44 Saturday, March 02, 2002