THE controversial sale of a former council care home is to go ahead after City of York Council voted for a second time to approve the scheme.

The three city councillors for Guildhall ward called-in last month’s decision to sell the Willow House site near Walmgate to student housing developer Empiric for £2.8 million.

They called on the council to delay for two months to allow more negotiations about the land, which they say has been effectively a public space for local people.

However, after hearing representations from councillors Denise Craghill and James Flinders urging the ruling executive to review the decision to consider options to protect this “important piece of green space, at Thursday’s meeting, senior councillors decided the plot should be sold. 

The meeting also heard from the council’s assistant director of Regeneration and Asset Management, Tracy Carter, that Empiric had withdrawn its bid following the delay and was no longer the highest bidder. The developer had planned to build a 126-bedroom student housing scheme.

It is unclear whether the council will remarket the site or accept a bid from the next highest bidder.

Cllr Flinders told the meeting: “Local residents have enjoyed using the green space adjacent to Walmgate Bar for many years. 

"Over 240 residents have supported the petition, to protect this green space,” he said as he urged the executive to listen to local residents and delay sale of the land. We ask that you delay the sale."

In a separate vote LibDem councillors called on officers to undertake a review of green and recreational space, when considering future decision on developing council land. 

Cllr Andrew Waller said: “There is a growing interest in public open space, whether it is playing fields or small recreational sites, which provide a break in the urban development of York.  

"All residents in York should feel that they are being considered when decisions are taken on developing council land.  

After the meeting, Cllr Craghill said:”I know this is closing the stable door when the horse has bolted, but the executive had the opportunity to look again at the green space. they should have decided to look at the whole scheme again and review the sale.”

Council leader Cllr David Carr said the authority needs to look more carefully at green space in the city and there was no objection to that.

But, he insisted the time for objecting to the sale of land in Walmgate has passed, as the decision to sell the land had been taken last year.