PLANS to demolish one of York's best known pubs have provoked an opposition campaign.

Builders Jones Homes have lodged an application with City of York Council to pull down Fulford Road's Gimcrack Hotel, and replace it with 19 three-storey town houses.

Although the plans have only just been lodged, they have already attracted criticism.

Denise Craghill, who lives in Broadway West, said: "This is yet another instance of the over-development taking place throughout York, threatening to alter the character and detract from the amenity of an historic and pleasant neighbourhood.

"The proposed development, replacing the Victorian villa style house and grounds, will be high density housing in the current bland style, taking away all the green space at the back and damaging the character of the neighbourhood."

She said the hotel used to include an estate that stretched back to the river. A walled garden behind it was now all that remained.

"The large enclosed green area is part of the historic character of the riverside area from Fulford through Fishergate and into town," she said.

"With the pub playground, it also provides a perfect place for families, as well as necessary open space and a haven for a variety of wildlife including squirrels, hedgehogs and birds."

And she urged concerned city residents to make their views known to the council.

She said: "It is very important that everyone's views should be heard by members of the planning committee who will make the decision.

"Each and every objection can make a difference."

A council spokeswoman confirmed that the application had been received.

She said full consultation of residents will be carried out, although it was too early for it to have started.

A spokesman for Jones Homes said: "The opportunity to redevelop this site had been presented to us by the current owners.

"Having considered the site's potential, we concluded that this 'brownfield' site is eminently suitable for redevelopment.

"Such redevelopment is in line with current Government planning guidance and objectives, and it is via this Government guidance that developers are required to seek permissions for the residential development of sites such as this, rather than seek development on greenfield sites.

"The redevelopment of this particular site is seen as an efficient use of previously developed land.

"We acknowledge that the site is within a conservation area and our proposals will be designed in sympathy with the site's location.

"We hope that the council agrees that this is an appropriate redevelopment of a relatively underused site."

Updated: 09:18 Tuesday, January 15, 2002