CAMPAIGNERS have failed to save from the bulldozer the former home of renowned York conservationist John Bowes Morrell.

Controversy has shrouded developers' plans to demolish historic Burton Croft since they were first unveiled.

The row over whether it and its associated buildings should be replaced by 22 flats came to a bitter end for protesters yesterday.

Despite calls to save the building, in Burton Stone Lane, City of York Council's planners narrowly backed the flats application by Barratt York Ltd. Committee chairman Councillor Richard Moore had to use his casting vote to push through the application after four members voted for the scheme and four against.

The packed meeting heard that Barratt had refused council officers' request to consider retaining the original building while adding flats at the back.

The applicant had argued that the building was not of "listable quality" and the internal layout made it unsuitable for conversion.

Calls to put the building on a "local list" of buildings of architectural or historical importance also met resistance.

Members heard it would take until 2007 for legislation to be imposed.

Les Marsh, of Clifton Planning Panel, said: "If Barratt have their way it will be a heap of rubble and a blot on the landscape of Burton Stone Lane by then."

Fellow campaigner Philip Crowe told members: "This is our last hope. You, as representatives of the community, hold the fate of this building in your hands. Reject this application. Do the right thing by York."

Jane Parkin, a consultant for Barratt, responding to calls for the original building to be retained said: "To make a viable apartment scheme they (the rooms in Burton Croft) would need to be divided, resulting in rooms taller than they would be wide."

After the meeting Mr Crowe said: "It was a dreadful decision and one that will be regretted by the decision-makers of York in future years."

Updated: 10:49 Friday, August 13, 2004