PLANS for a new assisted living apartment scheme to be built on Shipton Road have been given the go-ahead by councillors.

The scheme would see the Barleyfields sheltered housing building demolished - as well as extensions to the Ashbank Villa.

A three-story block of 54 extra care flats will then be built on site - and Ashbank will be converted into four more flats for retired people.

Twelve letters objecting to the plans were received by the council. The focused on concerns about the height of the new building, the impact of the development on neighbours and the need to remove some large, mature trees for the work to take place.

But the council's planning department recommended the scheme for approval, saying: "Officers recognise that this is a balanced judgement.

"When taking a balanced view, and assigning substantial weight to the provision of extra care housing on brownfield land, it is considered that the substantial benefits of the scheme would not be significantly and demonstrably outweighed by the less than substantial harm to the Conservation Area, tree loss, and concerns about amenity."

The head of the council's older persons' accommodation programme wrote in support of the scheme - saying the majority of people say they want to live in this type of development when they get older and that there is a growing demand for extra care flats to be built in the city.

She said York currently needs about 832 apartments of this kind - but only had about 286.

Another council officer highlighted that the scheme is next door to York Sports Club, which could be used by residents.

Councillors on the planning committee approved the plans, with section 106 agreement, at a meeting on March 12.