A MASSIVE seven-storey block of more than 100 apartments could be built in York city centre.

Developers Taywood Homes Ltd plan to build 113 flats on the former site of Foxton's Garage in Leeman Road, behind the Memorial Gardens.

It would replace a scheme to build a 76-bedroom £25 million luxury hotel and 38 flats on the site, approved by City of York Council two years ago.

Dave Johnson, the council's area development control officer, said: "The developers have had great difficulty in attracting a five-star hotel to the site and, therefore, they have come in with this fresh application to develop the site purely for residential purposes."

The new plans are being supported by council officers.

Mr Johnson said: "Officers feel that this scheme would make a very significant enhancement to this site and locality.

"It would remove an unsightly building and replace it with a high-quality modern structure... and make a major contribution to the residential and amenity aspects of this part of the city centre".

The proposal would include basement parking and improvements to the existing junction with Leeman Road.

But concern has been voiced by the Guildhall Neighbourhood Forum that an estimated increase of 121 cars would add to an already grid-locked traffic system.

It is proposed that the development will not include any flats as part of the council's affordable housing scheme to provide low-cost homes for people on its waiting list.

But developers would be asked for a donation of more than £450,000 towards providing affordable housing elsewhere in the city.

If accepted, it is expected the building would have to start within five years.

Planning committee members will discuss the proposals on Thursday.