ANGRY residents of a York housing estate have criticised the new developer of a former working men's club for allowing it to become an "eyesore".

The former INL Club, once York's oldest club, closed its doors two years ago after a cash crisis.

The site in Speculation Street, off Walmgate, has since been boarded up, and a mound of earth placed around the car park has become littered with weeds and rubbish, with soil spilling into the road.

Developer Kevin Mohan has submitted plans to build 28 one and two-bedroom flats on the site, which is between Huby Court and a stretch of the city walls.

A resident of Huby Court, who asked not to be named, said she was disgusted with the way in which the club had been allowed to fall into ruin.

She said: "I think it's awful, there's weeds and litter and soil. What must people walking on the city walls think? It seems to encourage drug users."

Fellow resident Jim Hendry, 75, said : "It's shameful, there's no need for it. It's unnecessary for it to have been left in this condition for so long. The place is infected with weeds, blowing over on to our plants. Anyone can see very clearly that it's an eyesore."

David Johnson, of planning consultants O'Neill Associates, is acting as Mr Mohan's agent. He said the mound of earth had been a temporary measure and his client had submitted a planning application to replace the soil with a fence.

He said: "The club has been vacant for some time now. It's not a very attractive building and it needs something to improve the area. We are aware of the residents' concerns, but we need to get consent for a fence. It shouldn't take too long to rectify that particular aspect of concern."

The plans will come before City of York Council planning officials on July 3.

Updated: 14:15 Tuesday, June 24, 2003