Roman Quarter scheme rejected

Flats and visitor attraction ‘too large’

POLITICS: Ambitious plans to create a Roman Quarter visitor attraction in York with apartments have been rejected by councillors. The development would have included a Roman visitor attraction, plus 211 apartments, offices and retail space, built in Rougier Street.

The plans included a two-year archaeological dig on site.

AMBITIOUS PLANS to create a Roman Quarter visitor attraction in York with a 10-storey block of apartments have been rejected by councillors.

The development would have included a Roman visitor attraction, plus 211 apartments, offices and retail space, built in Rougier Street.

The plans would have included a two-year archaeological dig on site.

But councillors on the planning committee had worries about the size of the building, the impact on nearby landmarks, affordable housing and whether it could bring high-quality jobs to the city.

Developers and supporters said it would bring an economic boost to the city and a new worldclass visitor attraction.

But members of the public objecting to the scheme had worries about the size of the building and claimed that the developers were using the visitor attraction to get the plans approved.

Councillors voted by a majority to refuse the plans – largely on the grounds that the building is too large and would have an impact on nearby heritage sites.

Coun Mark Warters proposed refusing the plans, saying: “If we don’t protect the skyline, we’ll be responsible for turning York into Chicago. This could become one of York’s most hated buildings.”

Coun Andy D’Agorne said: “It proposes a bolder and brasher ugly duckling to replace a less than energy-efficient 1960s’ building that is there at the moment.”

Coun Nigel Ayre said: “This is entirely around economic benefit. The museum is the only positive that comes out of this proposal. I’m not 100 per cent convinced.”

But Coun James Barker said the building is now designed to be lower than those surrounding it and planning officers support approval of the scheme. He said turning it down is likely to deter other developers from considering building in York.

And Coun Andrew Hollyer added: “The two main issues are economic impact and the potential loss of office jobs – but there’s no guarantee that whatever we do they will stay.” Eleven councillors voted to refuse the plans, three voted against refusal and one abstained.