Plans are in the offing to build up to 200 flats on a site in York that was the subject of a major protest.
Land next to the StayCity Aparthotel, at the corner of Paragon Street and Barbican Road, has been left empty for the best part of two decades.
It was cleared after the Barbican swimming pool closed in 2004.
Now Persimmon Homes Yorkshire is in talks with City of York Council over a scheme that would see around 200 one, two and three bedroom flats built on the two acre site.
It comes less than two years after the site was occupied by a squatters movement calling themselves the Barbican Community Centre.
They were protesting that the land had been left undeveloped for years, and called on City of York Council to compulsorily purchase the area for social housing.
Persimmon then physically evicted the squatters, a move criticised by the deputy leader of the council at the time.
The proposed new development would be up to six storeys high, making it on a level with the StayCity hotel.
Another smaller site behind the York Barbican on Fawcett Street could include ten flats and a community centre.
A Persimmon Yorkshire spokesperson said: “We’re pleased to report that good progress has been made with the council since a pre-application was submitted last spring.
“We are now in the process of preparing a detailed application which seeks to be a sustainable development, built to a high design specification with low carbon heating.
“Our updated proposal will not only contribute towards the city achieving its housing targets – particularly the demand for one and two-bedroom homes with an attainable price point – but will deliver a modern, contemporary piece of architecture congruous with the regeneration of the area.
“Ahead of a full formal application being submitted, engineers are now accessing the site to undertake drainage and ground checks.
“Ecological consultants will soon be accessing the site and surroundings to undertake ecological investigations. We will also seek to engage with the local community prior to formal submission.
“We will issue a further update before the submission of the formal application this summer.”
[tptn_list limit=3 daily=1 hour_range=1]