ANOTHER 100 bed student accommodation block could be on the way to a corner of York city centre, if a planning application gets the go-ahead this week.

Planners have recommended that the plan for the Horwell Brothers coal yard on Mansfield Lane off Foss Islands Road is approved when the city's planning committee meets on Wednesday.

The proposals would see two new buildings go up on the site - one two storey and one four storey - together housing 100 student bedrooms.

The site already has planning permission for a smaller 84 bed scheme, but owners are applying again with the aim of moving their coal yard business to a new site in York if planning is approved.

A document produced for the planning application says the area is undergoing something of a "renaissance" with a lot of traditional businesses like Horwell's moving out to be replaced by new built accommodation.

It also says that Mansfield Street itself is no longer suitable for modern commercial vehicles.

If it goes ahead, the new student block will be close to the large Student Castle complex on Walmgate; York St John accommodation on Navigation Road; the Samuel Tuke Apartments in the old Lawrence Street Working Men's Club buildings; a new complex on the Herbert Todd site on Percy's Lane; and the former Poor Clares' Vita Student site.

York's draft Local Plan sets the land aside for employment but planners are saying that loss would be outweighed by the provision of student housing - which the city also needs.

However, a report produced for the committee says they the new buildings should be restricted to student use - and if that changes the developers would have to make a contribution towards affordable housing.