TWO adjoining houses used for 32 years until recently as sheltered accommodation by the Abbeyfield York Society are up for sale.

Naish estate agents, York, acting for the charity, has called for offers from £550,000.

Developers are now expected to move in on the massive spliced Victorian houses in Acomb Road, Holgate, whose 4,000 sq ft once housed ten elderly residents and a manager.

The premises, with ensuite rooms and listed by planners as being suitable for multiple occupation, could easily be redeveloped as a guest house or as offices

The Abbeyfield York Society aims to meet a need in the city for older people who can afford their home but want support, with meals provided.

It opened number 34 Acomb Road in 1963 and in 1982 bought number 32 next door, but the narrow corridors were a problem for walking frames and wheelchairs in a way that did not affect the Society's two other properties in Beckfield Lane, York, and at Regency Mews, Dringhouses.

Margaret Chambers, the Society's manager, said: "We took the decision not to accept any more residents and in seven months were able to absorb the last two in Acomb Road at Regency Mews."

Sale of the Acomb Road properties would help to finance an extension to the Dringhouses property.

The charity's original plan, to create 22 flats in the grounds, faced refusal by City of York planners who did not like the height of the three storeys or plans to fell preserved ash and sycamore trees.

Now a revised plan has been submitted avoiding the felling of trees and lowering the roof at one end. If approved, the capital realised from the sale of the two Acomb Road houses will be used for the development.

Nigel Naish said: "There is lots of space, with 11 rooms, including ensuite toilets, plus a housekeeper's flat and two garages. They have been very well-maintained. I expect huge interest, especially from developers who see their potential."

Updated: 10:18 Tuesday, July 19, 2005