A YORK charity has expressed "extreme disappointment" that City of York Council planning officers have opposed a bid to build sheltered homes for elderly people.

Residential care organisation The Abbeyfield York Society wants to construct a three-storey building with 22 flats in the grounds of Abbeyfield House at Regency Mews, Dringhouses.

But the council's planning and transport west area sub-committee is being advised to reject the scheme at its meeting on Thursday. Under the proposal a number of trees - including an ash and a sycamore, which are protected by a tree preservation order - would get the chop.

Development control officer Richard Graham said in a report that the "loss of trees and open space would harm the character and appearance of the area" while causing some homes to be overlooked and over-dominated.

He also described the proposed building as "an overdevelopment" because of its "height, size, massing and proximity to residential properties".

Abbeyfield York Society board member Ros Batchelor, a chartered town planner, told the Evening Press: "We are extremely disappointed at the recommendation.

"We feel it is a well-designed scheme, and the flats are generously sized to assist people with disabilities.

"However, our architect is meeting with the council to discuss possible modifications.

"We are also disappointed that the removal of an ash and a sycamore are factors in the recommendation, because our track record on planting and looking after our trees at the Dringhouses site is excellent."

Ms Batchelor said the scheme aimed to meet a need in York for older people who can afford their own home but need support and care.

"The 22 new flats are part of the society's six-year development plan.

"A new agency, Abbeyfield York Care, is to be set up, increasing the level of support to be provided," she said.

The society also faces opposition from Dringhouses and Woodthorpe planning panel, which felt the proposed building was "too large and too high", and local residents who penned 54 letters to the council.

Among the concerns cited was the height of the building, loss of green space and wildlife habitat, and the increase in traffic.

Updated: 10:28 Friday, September 10, 2004