A PLAN to build four new townhouses on a car park in central York is set to be booted out by council chiefs after police said it could be a haven for antisocial behaviour.

Councillors are also set to turn down the plan, from Tropicwatch Ltd, to build the houses on the Woolpack House car park, bordering Stonebow and St Saviourgate, because of the building's design.

Police officers have objected to the plans, fearing walls on the proposed houses would be daubed with graffiti and used "as a toilet by revellers".

The force is also worried about the proximity of the Peasholme Centre opposite, with the building's design providing a natural "shelter" for homeless people unable to get to a room.

The site lies in the historic core of York and is also in an important archaeological area.

The scheme, which will be considered at a City of York Council planning and transport meeting on Thursday, but is now unlikely to get the green light.

York Civic Trust said it was "content" with the principle of housing on the site, but has protested against the flats plan on design terms.

In a council report, the trust said the format and choice of materials for the houses would be "detrimental to the setting of these listed buildings and would also be out of character with the conversation area in which the site is located".

While the area is crying out for enhancement, the civic trust said the houses plan would not "match up to that aspiration".

A report from the police liaison officer said a plan to cover a recessed area at the new development would "provide a convenient shelter for homeless people unable to get into the Peasholme Centre opposite". The report added that misuse of drugs continued to be a problem in the area.

Fibbers, the music venue on Stonebow, also objected to the scheme, fearing the presence of new homeowners could clash with the bar during live music events.

The council report concludes that the proposed design and layout of the building "fail to either preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area".

It has recommended the scheme be refused.

Updated: 08:45 Tuesday, August 02, 2005