THE sale of an old council care home could end with the only bit of open space in one corner of the city centre disappearing, a city councillor has warned.

Cllr Denise Craghill, from the Guildhall ward, has written to the city council boss and senior executives, protesting against a deal that she says could see a grassy area right next to the Bar Walls sold off to the highest bidder.

The land is next to the old Willow House care home, which closed earlier this year, and Cllr Craghill is angry that space which has always been open to people in the area could disappear.

She said: “This is a small area of land but it is more or less the only piece of open green space in this part of the city. Whilst Willow House has always had part of the outdoor area between the buildings and Walmgate fenced off as gardens, this area has always been open and functioned as part of the estate.”

She has been told the land is “held” by the adult social care department - which is selling the old care home - and so has been automatically included in the sale. However, Cllr Craghill said that explanation shows the council is working in a “compartmentalised” way and not putting the needs of residents first. It is also unclear who was consulted about how valuable the land is value to people nearby.

Willow House’s sale is part of a bigger council project to overhaul housing for older people in the city. Council care homes like Willow House are being closed down and some sold off so the money can be reinvested in better facilities elsewhere.

City of York’s economy and place director Neil Ferris said the matter of the extra grassed area was dealt back in November, when the final decision was taken to close Willow House. He also said the land is not considered public open space, but a new owner made a planning application to change it that would be considered carefully.

Mr Ferris also said that many people, including ward members, the NHS and MPs, had been briefed on the plans.

Willow House is on the market with Sanderson Weatherall, in a 0.76 acre plot which the agents say could be redeveloped for residential use, as a care home or student accommodation.