A FORMER York garage which has been occupied by squatters could be turned into 250 student flats.

Plans have been handed in to City of York Council to build two accommodation blocks on the Lawrence Street site which once housed the Reg Vardy motor dealership and Bubbles car wash.

Local residents and businesses have lodged a string of complaints about vandalism at the site after squatters moved in, with police saying attempts to move them have proved difficult.

It was also the scene of an attack which left 45-year-old Stephen Eastwood in a coma with serious head injuries in March.

The application by Black Lion Ltd says two four or five-storey blocks would be built after the existing showroom buildings are demolished.

Previous plans for 282 student flats in six blocks were blocked in 2009 because of their size, with representatives of the parishes of St Lawrence and St Hilda also saying bell-ringing at nearby St Lawrence’s Church could cause noise problems for those living there.

In a statement sent to the council, the agents for the scheme, Kilmartin Plowman and Partners, said the buildings on the former garage site were “falling into disrepair”.

It said: “The development site provides a negative social contribution to the surrounding area and the existing buildings have been occupied by squatters.

“The redevelopment of this vacant site will prove a significant positive economic contribution to the local shops and facilities and provide economic vitality to the surrounding areas.

“The redevelopment of the Lawrence Street frontage will enhance the street scene and signify a positive statement to the local area.”

The firm said the applicants planned to stage a public exhibition to allow residents to air their views about the scheme, which would include 25 accommodation “clusters” within the two blocks.

It said several meetings had been held between Black Lion and the University of York , which had “reinforced the need for off-campus residential accommodation”.

The Press reported last month how an arson attack had damaged the former garage building and led to a man being rescued from the site.