We recently published a blog in relation to York’s plans to demolish an office block dating back to the 1950’s
to make way for a brand new four storey, 95 bedroom hotel. However, plans have now been put forward for a further two hotels to be built. But does the City of York really have a need for three new hotels? Movehut investigates.
The proposed schemes for the new commercial properties in Yorkinclude a new 124 bedroom hotel, next to the River Foss which will also enclose a drive-through restaurant costing £12.5 million in total. The other hotel is a 165 bedroom hotel, which will be built on a former swimming pool site that has been closed for several years. James Alexander, Council Leader expressed, “I am very pleased to see new proposals coming forward for two major hotel developments close to the city centre.”
Tiger Developments, who are the developers for the River Foss hotel scheme, would also help build the final stages of road links which would connect Layerthorpe and Heworth Green. These new road links could help ease congestion in the city-centre. Mr Alexander stated his delight, “The proposed Layerthorpe scheme would bring welcome investment and employment opportunities to York if approved by the council’s planning committee. I would also be very pleased to see land which has been unused for many years being brought back into use, and for the missing element in the James Street link road to be constructed.”
Katharina Barenthien, Chair of The York Hoteliers Association, which represents 12 of York’s top hotels have already expressed their feelings towards the 95 bedroom hotel being built, let alone the two new plans for the bigger hotels. Ms Barenthien expressed, “Let’s be cautious about granting planning consents for new hotels in York until we can be sure that an all-year-round market is there.” But would the creation of new jobs and work be a blessing in these difficult financial times? Ms Barenthien argued, “If they (the council) can manage to attract up to 30 more businesses with multiple sites in the UK, there might be room for more hotels.” The new hotels are doing just that, between them they plan to build a number of commercial properties enclosed in the site which include: restaurants, bars, retails units for shop, conference suites and leisure facilities.
The plans will be made public on Thursday 8 to Friday 9 September. Architects, consultants and the hotel developers will be present to answer any questions before the planning applications are formally submitted to the council.
Do you think there is room in the City of York for three new hotels? Could the old commercial properties be better used as something else? Or with the added leisure facilities like restaurants and bars, do you think the schemes will be beneficial to the city? Like us, you will have to wait for the council’s decision.
