AN international chain could open its first British hotel in York if plans to revitalise one of the city's most historic streets get the go-ahead.

The chain, based in America, is hoping to site a hotel on the Victoria House site in Micklegate.

Architects today revealed the latest designs for the proposed hotel building, which have been drawn up after a former planning application was turned down in May.

Developers Houlton and Sons Ltd, of Hull, want to build a four-storey building on the site and Keith Gilson, commercial director, said an international hotel chain was interested in the hotel.

"I believe this would be their first hotel in Britain to be opened. They have selected York as the place to be," he said.

The site has been one of York's biggest eyesores since the former department store was closed by Yorkshire Co-operatives more than three years ago.

Mr Gilson said: "I think it will work wonders for that area and improve it tremendously."

He said he believed the revised design for the hotel had used a much "softer" approach than the original, which was turned down because planners believed two towers on the building were "alien" to the area.

The glass, brick and stone building would have caf bars and restaurants on the ground floor, with three hotel floors above, containing 100 bedrooms.

The first application was also turned down because of worries about adequate support for the neighbouring former Arts Centre church building.

Architect Matt Parkins, of Crease Strickland Parkins, said they had now provided an engineers' report which should answer any concerns. They had also dealt with concerns about adequate car manoeuvring space within the hotel courtyard.

PICTURE: LOOKING EAST: An artist's impression of the proposed hotel in York looking east along Micklegate