A plan to auction off a nature site in York to the highest bidder has been postponed.
YorkMix revealed on Monday that Severus Hill in Holgate was up for sale.
The four acre Site of Importance to Nature Conservation was marketed as “of interest to any developers and speculators”.
The location of a former reservoir, it is owned by Keyland Developments, the property trading arm of Yorkshire Water owners Kelda Group.
It planned to auction it off via the sales company Auction House on 25 October. The landmark water tower was not included in the auction.
But those who expressed an interest in the site have now been sent an email by Auction House saying: “Further to your registered interest in the above, unfortunately, we have been advised by the sellers to postpone the lot from the auction.”
The planned sale had created concern that the Severus Hill, now overgrown with trees and bushes and home to everything from sparrowhawks to bats, could be developed.
An application to build 43 houses on the site in 2017 was rejected, partly because it would have caused “very substantial harm to local biodiversity”.
Ward councillors have contacted Yorkshire Water asking for a meeting about its plans for Severus Hill.
YorkMix asked Yorkshire Water for a comment four days ago. We got a response this morning.
A Yorkshire Water spokesperson said: “We’re meeting the local councillors in November to discuss the future of the site.
“In the meantime, our sister company, Keyland, has paused their auction plans for the site on Severus Hill in York.”