Ex-care home to be demolished to build 36 homes

A former care home could be demolished to make way for 36 new homes under plans to revamp part of York.

City of York Council has submitted an application to demolish Willow House, in Long Lane Close, near Walmgate, along with four garages and a storage building.

Planning documents say removing the buildings would have a "positive impact" on the setting of York's walls and other historic features.

If approved, plans for the new homes would be lodged in the spring with work due to start in autumn.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service the care home is vacant and in a poor state of repair.

The application said demolishing it would improve views of York, including the Minster from the stretch of walls that Willow House backs on to.

It said: "The proposal will result in enhancement of the York Central Historic Core Conservation Area due to improved appearance, removal of uncharacteristic buildings and roofscapes, restoring the line of visibility towards Walmgate, which is presently closed off by Willow House."

If approved the council hopes to build a mix of environmentally-friendly one and two-bedroom social rent and shared ownership homes.

The proposed development is part of a wider masterplan for the area south of Walmgate, which also includes proposed improvements to Hope Street and Albert Street, planting on wall ramparts and a communal garden scheme.

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