AMBITIOUS proposals to relocate 1,600 council staff to a run-down area of York would see a shelter for the homeless and an ambulance station

bulldozed.

As reported in Saturday's Evening Press, City of York Council has announced it wants to build a major new office space in the heart of the Hungate development.

While York residents have expressed reservations over the plans, council leader Steve Galloway hailed the move as an "exciting" proposition, which would save £29 million.

Under the proposals, staff from 13 separate offices will be moved into the new building, with only the Guildhall, St Anthony's House and the Acomb office being retained.

The Peasholme Centre, which caters for the homeless, will be knocked down along with the TENYAS ambulance station, to make way for the new council headquarters.

Councillors will be asked for their opinion at their executive meeting on Tuesday week.

Coun Galloway said the demolition of the ambulance station and the Peasholme Centre would be necessary to provide offices big enough for the council's needs.

He said organisers would be helped to find new premises as part of the deal.

"I think it's fair to say the ambulance people would prefer to be out of the city centre, anyway, for purposes of access," he said.

"Obviously it would have to be rebuilt.

"But that could be done as part of the overall deal.

"They may be looking to move anyway.

"Being in the city centre means they have congestion to deal with before they can get to wherever they're going."

Three possible sites have already been identified for the relocation.

Meanwhile, council chiefs are considering alternative homes for the Peasholme facility.

Resources chief Coun Quentin Macdonald said a new base would be built for the homeless.

But he stressed there were no plans to create a "super-centre" to accommodate both the hostel's residents and those from the Arc Light Centre.

The council was forced to drop plans to move the Arc Light Centre to a site in Shipton Street, Clifton, after a huge storm of protest from locals.

Coun Macdonald said: "This is nothing to do with Arc Light. This is a homeless hostel."

Asked whether plans to move another hostel in York were likely to cause a stir, he said: "I sincerely hope there will not be a controversy."

Coun Galloway said people would be consulted before anything was finalised, but predicted the move would be welcomed.

He said: "We think we will be able to make £29 million of savings over the next 30 years and I think taxpayers will welcome that with enthusiasm," he said.

A limited amount of parking spaces would be available on site, reserved for operational purposes and the disabled.

"There is an under-used car park very close by on Foss Bank which could provide the bulk of parking spaces and staff will be encouraged to use Park & Ride sites or alternative methods of getting to work," he said.

"There may be times when, for one reason or another, staff have to use their vehicles at work, but the hope is to create a 'hot desk' facility so people will be out and about or working from home wherever possible."

Under the relocation plans, the council would sell its Georgian St Leonard's Place buildings, along with offices in Museum Street, Blake Street, Hollycroft, Ashbank, King's Court and The Lodge, Yearsley Bridge, netting it £10.5 million.

It would also move out of premises it rents in Swinegate Court East, Back Swinegate, George Hudson Street, North Street and De Grey House.

Coun Galloway said the relocation was part of the council's long-term vision.

He said: "We've identified this as a means of saving money in the long term over 30 years and it's that type of breadth of vision that often will appeal to tax payers.

"It provides the opportunity to provide better working facilities for staff as well as better reception facilities for customers.

"It should be a win-win situation for everyone."

Updated: 10:21 Monday, November 14, 2005