DEVELOPERS have revealed their plans to build 326 student flats next to a York supermarket.

The proposals for a site in Hallfield Road, which was previously a Yorkshire Water depot, have been submitted to City of York Council by Maple Grove Developments, with the company having unveiled artist’s impressions of how the scheme would look.

The project is a joint venture with Leeds-based property developers Yorvale and, if approved, two four-storey accommodation blocks would be built next to the Morrisons store at Foss Islands Retail Park.

Maple Grove, which is part of the Eric Wright Group, said the flats are intended to be ready for the start of the 2015/16 academic year.

Maple Grove’s managing director Chris Evenson said the flats – designed by architects DLA – would be convenient for both University of York and York St John University students. He said: “We are delighted to have secured the Hallfield Road site for this high-quality student accommodation development.

“The size of the scheme, the attraction of York as a highly-regarded and expanding university city, the continuing demand for new student housing and the support of the council were key factors for us in deciding to progress this site with Yorvale.”

Jeremy Binnian, Yorvale’s managing director, said the firm had “worked extensively in York” and knew the city well, having acquired an interest in the Hallfield Road site after it was brought to their attention by York chartered surveyors Lawrence Hannah. He said: “Extensive research of the student accommodation market by our agents, DTZ, clearly showed the potential for this type of development.

“We are looking to start construction work in spring 2014 so that the accommodation is available to welcome students in September 2015.”