THE workshop area of one of York’s best known garages is set to be demolished to make way for an apartment block after the business announced it would close.

Eleven flats could be built on the workshop at Glen Garage Suzuki, off Hawthorn Street in Heworth.

The garage has been in business for 70 years but announced last month that it will close.

A planning application has now been submitted for the site by RHW Developments.

The planning application says the workshop would be demolished and a two-storey block of flats, with a single third storey area in the centre of the main building, would be constructed in its place.

Four of the apartments are set to be one-bedroom flats, while the remaining seven will be two-bedroom apartments.

But the development would have just three car parking spaces, with planning documents saying the location close to the city centre will reduce residents’ reliance on private vehicles and encourage them to use public transport and footpath routes. There will be storage for 14 bicycles.

A planning statement says: “The apartments have been designed to create a west-ward aspect to living rooms and bedrooms, providing an attractive view and surveillance over the footpath and cycle way.

“The council is currently unable to demonstrate a deliverable five year housing land supply and the provision of 11 new dwellings will make a contribution, albeit limited to the supply of new housing.”

Apartments will also have recessed balconies and access will be along the existing drive from Hawthorn Street.

The Press reported last month that the Glen Garage was set to shut at the end of August, with the loss of 20 jobs.

It is a family business that was first established in 1948 and has spent the past 35 years as a Suzuki dealer.

Owner Andrew Curry wrote to all customers in July to tell them the ‘Suzuki management team’ had informed him that it had a new applicant for their franchise in York, which wished to start operating on September 1.

He said Suzuki had recently confirmed there would be a new Suzuki showroom opening and Glen Garage would continue to offer a full sales and after sales facility until closing.