Developers are again considering the options for a piece of derelict land in Clifton, York, after years of wrangling over its future.

ABOVE: The Imperial Hotel at the junction of Crichton Avenue and Kingsway North, York, when it was put on the market for £150,000.

Residents and neighbouring businesses are being involved in discussions about what should be built on the site of the former Imperial Hotel in Crichton Avenue.

This is good news for the community as the site has been a crime hotspot targeted by vandals and troublemakers ever since the pub closed in 1994.

Although initial plans were to convert the existing building into a supermarket and flats, this failed to get planning permission and the building was eventually demolished in 1994 after youths effectively began the job themselves.

The site has been bought from Punch Taverns by Harrison Construction Ltd, based in Malton, which is asking local people to come up with suggestions for what should be built there.

It is one of the central issues being addressed as part of the £1.6 million North Clifton Regeneration project which will improve the environment in Clifton over the next three years.

Residents gave strong support for a social club at a recent meeting of the Environment Action Group created as part of the regeneration project.

Judith Jones, project manager, said: "Margaret Smith from Harrison Construction, joined us at our meeting.

"She listened to suggestions for the site, which included a request signed by more than 200 residents for a social club.

"We wanted to put over the idea that the developers are interested in talking to the community, which is good, but we also have to bear in mind that any proposal has to be financially viable."

Other suggestions have been for some kind of child care facility, youth facility or library or a centre which could incorporate all of these.

Residents have also been invited to put forward more ideas to Judith Jones at the Community House at 23 Burton Green in a newsletter updating them on the regeneration project which is now being delivered.

Martyn Harrison, chairman of Harrison, said: "As a responsible company we always take account of the needs of local residents, to provide developments which are appropriate to the needs of the locality.

"We look forward to playing our part in the successful regeneration of the North Clifton area."

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.