THE demolition of a former York pub to make way for 11 new homes could be agreed next week.

The Fox and Hounds, next to the A64 in Copmanthorpe , closed last autumn after serving the local community for almost 150 years, despite a campaign by locals to save it.

Enterprise Inns, which owns the Top Lane site, was originally given planning permission in 2006 to build eight houses on the land. But that agreement expired last year, prompting a fresh application which will go before City of York Council ’s west and city-centre area planning sub-committee next Thursday.

Council planners have recommended approval for the proposals, mostly for four-bedroom properties.

A report by development management officer Erik Matthews said the Fox and Hounds suffered a “steep decline in trade” after an A64 flyover removed one of the main entrances to the pub in 2004.

He said the scheme had been “significantly amended” to deal with concerns over traffic and road safety if the houses are built.

Copmanthorpe Parish Council has opposed the plans, saying it still has traffic safety fears and the proposals would be “overdevelopment” of the site, while eight objection letters have also been sent in.

The same meeting will also debate plans by Hogg the Builder for 13 homes on land between Westview Close, near Boroughbridge Road, and a nearby sports field, which have been recommended for refusal by planning officers because the site is deemed to be Green Belt land, no affordable housing is included, trees would be lost and its design is unsuitable.