A COMMUNITY group's hopes of saving a historic malting house from development look set to be dashed, after planning permission was granted this afternoon.

Northminster yesterday were given permission to convert Clementhorpe Malting House on Lower Darnborough Street into six family homes, despite pleas from local people to give them chance to work on community use options for the building.

York Press:

One of the pieces of machinery inside the maltings - SEE 34 PHOTOS HERE

Micklegate ward councillor Johnny Hayes asked City of York Council's area planning subcommittee to defer its decision for three weeks, until after a decision has been made on whether to list the building as an Asset of Community Value (ACV).

The ACV listing would give people in the area chance to make their own bid for the site, but a contract between the council, who own the site, means it will be sold now the planning permission has been granted.

The councillors had also heard from the chairman of the Clementhorpe Community Association Andy Johnson, who said there was enormous enthusiasm in the area to reuse the malting house as a community centre, artists studios, or cafe.

He said: "To dispose of this valuable asset without full consultation is wrong."

>>> GALLERY: 34 photos of the maltings, inside and out

Although Guildhall councillors Denise Craghill and Janet Looker both voted for the decision to be deferred until after the ACV, hearing the eventual vote went 5-2 in favour of giving the planning permission.

Planning official Gareth Arnold has said the council’s legal advisors did not believe an ACV application was a valid consideration in planning matters, and committee chairman Cllr John Galvin said all applicants deserved to have their cases heard under proper planning rules.

The same meeting saw permission granted for both the rebuilding of Lord Deramore's primary school in Heslington, and for 14 homes to be built on the grounds of Connaught Court care home in Fulford despite pleas from people in the village.

Ward councillor Keith Aspden, Fulford parish council, and the Fulford Friends, all told councillors they were worried about the impact the houses would have on the conservation areas.

Constance Smith, chairman of the Fulford Friends, said: "We do no object to all developments, but we do strongly object to this one.

"It will cause irreversible harm to an important area of Fulford designated as a conservation area."

Speaking after the meeting, Cllr Aspden said: "“I am naturally disappointed that the application was successful. I will continue to work with local residents and the wider community to ensure that the conditions of the application are met and the impact of the development is minimised as far as possible.”