Conservationists are urging York council to rethink plans to demolish houses to make way for a new development.
They say the homes, once part of the Fulford Road military garrison, are a significant part of the city’s history.
Others argue that the homes should be saved on environmental grounds.
City of York Council is proposing to build 85 zero carbon homes on Ordnance Lane and Hospital Fields Road.
The plans would retain the former army married quarters, but other homes would be demolished.
Altogether, there have been 23 representations made in objection and 11 in support of the scheme.
In her objection, Margaret Scott writes: “These houses and the block at the end are the last remains of the enormous military hospital, which later served the nascent NHS.
“When the eighteenth century Cavalry Barracks was closed (now Police HQ), all historic buildings were razed. This vandalism is now regretted, but looks likely to be repeated in Ordnance Lane, with the token retention of the end block.”
Fishergate, Fulford and Heslington Local History Society also oppose the move.
Christopher Rainger from the society writes: “Although the project includes retention of the ‘married quarters’ block, the true heritage value of the site lies in retaining all the houses.
“Retention of some or all of these houses could have provided a positive contribution to the new development as a gateway from Fulford Road, whilst also preserving some of the last remaining evidence of the historic significance of the site.”
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Objector Robert Hale says the demolition plan is in “apparent disregard of the heritage value of the site. The army’s occupation is a vital part of Fulford Road’s history, yet much has already been lost.”
An ‘arts and craft house’ is of particular heritage interest, and possibly “functioned as a club house for military personnel at the nearby Ordnance Depot”.
York heritage campaigner Johnny Hayes says the buildings should be repurposed: “The present buildings should not simply be demolished and new buildings put up at a vast cost to the environment.”
The scheme is being recommended for approval at a planning committee on Thursday (9 June). You can see the agenda here.
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