A SCHEME to transform a 13th century York tower into a luxury riverside home is set to win the go-ahead from planners.

Lendal Tower, a Grade I Listed Building and scheduled ancient monument alongside Lendal Bridge, was once a key part of York's defences as part of the City Walls.

More recently, the stone landmark building was the headquarters of the former York Waterworks company, but it has lain empty since 2000.

Now Lendal Tower Venture wants to turn it into a single dwelling, with an oak-paneled room becoming the master bedroom and the former water company's boardroom becoming a living room with spectacular views of the River Ouse.

Another application has been made to turn nearby Lendal Hill House, a Grade II Listed Building dating back to the late 18th century, into two homes. Listed building consent is needed for the conversion of both buildings, as well as planning permission.

The proposals involve very little alteration to the tower's external appearance, says development control officer Patrick Sutor in a report to City of York Council's Planning and Transport (city centre area) sub-committee by.

He said there had been attempts to market the property from 2001 until 2004, but no occupiers came forward because of its unsuitability as offices and concerns about the risk of flooding.

Flood protection proposals had now been drawn up, involving a 1.78 metre demountable flood barrier, partly under the steps leading down from the bridge to the river. There would be two similar barriers under the bridge itself, and a flood gate.

He said it was important that a use was found for the buildings, otherwise they would remain empty and vulnerable and there would be no income to pay for protection and repair.

He said it was believed the necessary works could be done to the building without affecting it adversely, and recommended the committee to approve the schemes, next Friday. Helmsley Group, the Pocklington-based developer, bought the site and its three buildings from Yorkshire Water's sister Company Keyland Developments in 2004 for a reputed £1 million.

Updated: 10:43 Friday, May 06, 2005