BATS could hold the key to whether a controversial planning application to bulldoze an historic York house gets the green light.

The application, to demolish the Victorian house Burton Croft, in Burton Stone Lane, and turn it into 24 flats, has been widely criticised.

The house was once the home of university founder John Bowes Morrell, known as "York's greatest benefactor."

It will be debated by City of York Council planners on Thursday, when English Nature will reveal the results of its study on whether demolishing the building would affect the area's bat population.

If English Nature says demolition would not affect the pipistrelle bats living locally, the application is set to be approved.

No bats currently live in the building itself, though planning officers believe they could return if people moved back in and heated it.

Development control officer Richard Graham said in a report to councillors: "The proposal is considered acceptable in terms of the above policies subject to confirmation from English Nature that the demolition of the existing buildings will not harm the population of bats that are active in the area.

"The loss of this attractive building is to be regretted and its retention would have been preferable.

"However, it is considered the proposed buildings would not, on balance, cause significant harm to the amenities of residents and that they would make an acceptable contribution to the appearance of the street."

Nearby residents, planning officers and Clifton councillor Alan Jones have all attacked the application.

Coun Jones has said: "I'm very unhappy. There's been a number of developments already in that area and the traffic has increased tremendously.

"The roads are quite narrow down there and I don't know where all the new traffic is going to go.

"I'm disappointed that there's going to be no affordable homes provided with that development. Another thing that concerns me is that it's a fine building and it's a real shame they couldn't convert it rather than knock it down.

"It's been a feature of that road for an awfully long time. It's a lovely building."

Thursday's meeting will be at The Guildhall from 3pm.

Updated: 10:59 Tuesday, August 12, 2003