YORK residents have hit out at plans to build accommodation for hundreds of students only yards from their homes.

An application has been made to City of York Council to demolish the old Pullman Bus Depot in Navigation Road, and replace it with student housing.

S Harrison Developments Ltd, of Malton, want to build accommodation for 231 students, with study bedrooms, and living, dining, laundry and management facilities.

But residents have voiced objections to the proposals, claiming the area's "sedate lifestyle" is inconsistent with student life. Concerns have also been raised over availability of parking, loss of light and the fact that the site is in a conservation area

Navigation Road resident Edna Sayers, 61, said: "With it being so high it's going to stop light coming into buildings on this site. I am against it.

"There's a lot of old people who live down here and we already have enough problems with youngsters going round the back being a nuisance, without students coming as well. I will be writing to the council to object.

"I do not mind them building as long as the back buildings are a bit lower, and it should be for elderly people rather than students. I know there's quite a few people down here against it."

In a letter to the Evening Press, fellow objector Barbara Pettitt, of Rosemary Place, wrote: "Navigation Road is a residential area. We enjoy a sedate lifestyle completely different to 'student life'. The area is already over-planned, with a new development adjoining the site already for offices and parking for 45 cars. It would be better use if they built for local housing instead and maybe for disabled and use for the elderly."

Another Navigation Road resident, Sue Holliday, has written to the council arguing that the site should be protected as it is a conservation area.

Chris Hale, group design manager for S Harrison Developments said: "Harrison will transform an eyesore site into something positive for the city, providing attractively-designed and much-needed student accommodation on the brownfield site.

"This is a site which has been allocated for student accommodation in the city development plan, and Harrison is keen to fulfil this requirement."

Updated: 10:28 Friday, February 17, 2006