City of York councillors will meet later today (Thursday, 14 August) to discuss a planning application to demolish the home of a local figurehead.

Burton Croft is of particular significance to the city because it was the home of JB Morrell, one of the founders of York University. Developers want to demolish the house and replace it with a three storey block of flats.

Although the council has expressed a strong desire that the building is retained, officers have advised that under current planning law, there is very little they can do to stop the application going ahead.

Richard Graham, development control officer, said: "When the developers first submitted the application, we urged them to consider retaining and converting the existing building. They have declined to do this.

"We have made a formal request to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, to list the building because of its importance to the city, but they have refused, stating that Burton Croft is 'not listable on grounds of architectural merit or historic interest'.

"Unfortunately, our hands are tied by planning law and we have had to recommend that the scheme goes ahead."