OPTIONS are under review for wasteland previously earmarked for apartments near York city centre.

The 2.2 acre site next to the StayCity aparthotel just outside the Bar Walls has been disused since the former Barbican pool and its car park shut in 2004.

The landowner, Persimmon Homes, had intended to build 240 apartments on the former car park and an adjacent former bowling green but abandoned the plans because of the economic crisis - though the aparthotel got built on part of the site where the pool had been.

In 2013, Persimmon secured planning consent for 187 apartments but work never started and the company put the site up for sale last year.

A Persimmon spokesman said this week it was no longer for sale. “Our parcel of land off Barbican Road and Paragon Street has been removed from the open market as we review various options and enquiries.”

The company has focused its attention on its core activity during the pandemic.

The land was being marketed through agents Savills which had said the site comprised two parcels - the main area to the east of the Barbican and Staycity Aparthotel comprising about 2.14 acres, along with a smaller parcel to the south west of the Barbican Centre comprising about 0.12 acres.

It said there was full planning permission for a building of 175 apartments and another of 12 apartments with associated access, parking and landscaping, dated 24th August 2017.

But, it said, subject to consent, the site would also be suitable to a number of uses, including redevelopment to a bespoke student accommodation scheme as well as care or leisure related uses.