Casework Archive
Below is an archive of recent planning casework in York that has now been decided. There are three main outcomes for a planning application: approval of the proposals (usually with planning conditions), refusal, or the application is withdrawn. In the case of the latter, while many factors may influence it, it is often the case that an application is withdrawn on recommendation of the Planning Officer, due to the likelihood of refusal.
Select any of the following applications for more information about the casework and the outcome.
October 2019
Application Address: The Masons Arms, 6 Fishergate, York YO10 4AB
Planning reference no.: 19/01790/LBC
Proposal: Construction of four storey building with 3no. lettings rooms and alterations to existing outbuildings to form 2no. lettings rooms.

Importance: The Masons Arms is a Grade II Listed Building within the York Central Historic Core Conservation Area. The existing fireplace and oak panelling, salvaged from the Castle prison gatehouse after it was demolished in the 1930s, are particularly significant to the status of the building.
Concerns and benefits: Provided an appropriate selection of material, for example cast iron windows to match the character of the area, and careful regard to matching height neighbouring properties, the proposal has the potential to enhance the area. The design of the proposal is charming and in-keeping with the canal-side architecture of the area.
York Civic Trust’s response: Support
December 2018
Application Address: Station Building, Railway Station, Station Road, York YO24 1AY
Planning reference no.: 18/00005/LBC

Proposal: Internal alterations including new customer zone, first class lounge, TVM housing, ATM building and ladies toilets following demolition of existing concourse building and associated reinstatement works
Importance: Built by Thomas Prosser, Benjamin Burley and William Peachey in the 1870s, with later additions, York railway station is amongst the most attractive railways stations in the UK. It is Grade II* listed and in the York Central Historic Core Conservation Area (Area 22: Railway Area).
Opportunities: LNER have inherited this application from Virgin East Coast, and have offered a revised scheme (Nov. 2018) for internal changes. A sensitive conversion scheme might provide better amenities for train users, increase sight lines of the station’s aesthetic and historic features, while respecting the heritage of the site.
Impact: Little historic fabric will be lost. Most of the changes will only affect modern structures including areas of the station repaired after WW2 bomb damage. The ticket office will be moved to the room next to the current women’s WC (which will go in a space between the current ticket office and Burger King. The space created in the ticket office given over to retail. A first class lounge will be created in a parcel store near Platform 1. The ATM / Filmore & Union unit will be remodeled as a ticket vending machine [TVM] unit.
Concerns / benefits: The amenity improvements are predominantly more retail (with a slight increase in number of women WCs). However, the face-to-face ticket provision will be vastly reduced to four booths, with an insufficient queuing area, and lead to very poor usability between the inner and outer concourses. The replacement of the ATM unit with a TVM one is a missed opportunity to better reveal the station’s sight lines and heritage.
There is the need for a more holistic approach with greater coordination between LNER, Network Rail, Queen Street bridge removal, York Central and the railway station frontage The latter will relocate the taxi rank and drop-off lane in the glazed porte-cochère to the parcels office area of the station, freeing up this considerable space for LNER’s proposals and less detrimental to the heritage of the station than those currently being proposed in this application.
York Civic Trust’s response: General comment
Decision: Approved
Application Address: Rowntree Park Lodge, Richardson Street, York YO23 1JU
Planning reference no.: 18/02255/FUL

Proposal: Alterations to existing Park Keeper’s Lodge including removal of existing external fire escape stairs and blocking up first floor external door in connection with use as holiday let accommodation
Importance: The Park Keeper’s Lodge was designed in an Arts and Crafts style by Frederick Rowntree as part of Rowntree Park, a memorial park to Rowntree cocoa workers who served in WWI and given to the people of York. The Park is a Grade II listed Historic Park & Garden. The Park’s lychgate / dovecote and memorial gates are each Grade II listed, and the park keeper’s lodge is a non-designated heritage asset on the York Local Heritage List.
Opportunities: Ordinarily, retained use of a historic building is preferable than it standing dormant when it comes to maintaining its historic fabric. The use of the lodge for short-term holiday lets has the potential to comply with this theory.
Impact: Due to sub-standard documentation provided for this application, it is impossible to evaluate any impact on the historic fabric and the building’s setting. However, proposed plans still show the loss of a fireplace and chimney on the first floor (ie in the historic keeper’s quarters). What about the impact of the changes on historic cornices, dado rails, mantelpieces, and doors?
Concerns / benefits: None of the heritage attributes of the Park or Keeper’s Lodge have been fully considered in this application. Further information needs to be given on how the holiday lets will function without being detrimental to the historic fabric and character of the building and park, and the security of guests and Rowntree Park, which include access, parking, lighting and noise pollution issues.
York Civic Trust’s response: Object
Decision: Application Withdrawn
Application Address: [Axcel Group Limited] 36 – 44 Piccadilly, York YO1 9NX
Planning reference no.: 18/02495/FULM

Proposal: Partial demolition of existing building and construction of 3 to 5 storey hotel to provide 158 bedrooms, with ancillary restaurant/cafe, gym, conference room, landscaping and retention of the Banana Warehouse facade
Importance: Piccadilly dates from the early C20. It is in York’s Central Historic Core Conservation Area and a key part of CYC’s York Castle Gateway project. The Banana Warehouse, which has subtle Art Deco motifs, is a former store for F.T. Burley and dates from 1925. It holds historical evidence of the former use of the River Foss for commerce in the era of ‘Imperial Preference’. The warehouse positively contributes to the streetscape and is a non-designated heritage asset on the York Local Heritage List.
Opportunities: The fate of the Banana Warehouse has long been in the balance. A sensitive scheme could give new life to the building. Piccadilly is becoming something of a hotel accommodation provider, for which York has a high need to maintain its position as a leading tourist destination. This site would not be unsuited for this purpose.
Impact: At five-storeys tall in parts, the proposed hotel would be highly visible from the top of Clifford’s Tower and visible from the Eye of York and associated listed buildings. On the Piccadilly side, the facade of the warehouse will be maintained, but with the loss of some of the subtle Art Deco details on the pediments, and an additional floor built above it (albeit set back). The design of the hotel will also mirror an adjoining, very large hotel approved on the neighbouring site, 46 Piccadilly.
Concerns / benefits: The proposal is gross over-development, with five-storeys being too tall for such a sensitive site near first-class historic buildings. The retention of the Banana Warehouse facade is tokenistic. Greater integrity would be achieved if the Banana Warehouse façade fronted a standalone two-storey linear building rather than being incorporated in the hotel. The design aspects of the hotel are uninspiring. On the River Foss side, it would not look dissimilar to the 1960s CLASP buildings at the University of York. On the Piccadilly side, combined with 46 Piccadilly, it would result in an unwelcome monumentalism along a significant length of the street and not contribute positively to the streetscape.
York Civic Trust’s response: Object
Decision: Application Withdrawn
November 2018
Application Address: Lord Deramore’s Primary School, School Lane, Heslington, York YO10 5EE
Planning reference no.: 18/02242/LBC

Proposal: Conversion of former primary school into 2no. residential dwellings with associated alterations.
Importance: Lord Deramore’s Primary School is an attractive building dating to 1856 in the Gothic-style, with an early-C20 rear classroom addition by renowned York architect, Walter Brierley. The school stands as a good example of local philanthropy in advance of compulsory primary education that resulted from the 1870 Education Act. Lord Deramore’s Primary School is a Grade II Listed Building and in the Heslington village Conservation Area.
Opportunities: This former school building is now looking for a new use since the primary school relocated to new buildings to the rear of the site a few years ago. A sensitive conversion scheme might restore or reveal existing historic fabric and features, especially those that were covered over or removed during mid-C20 alterations.
Impact: Some historic fabric will be lost, including a fireplace in the old master’s living quarters. New and replacement window fittings appear to be uPVC windows.
Concerns / benefits: The new use of the building could help conserve this historic building in the long-term. There is concern over the use of inappropriate materials, especially like-for-like replacements of uPVC windows. This is a missed opportunity not to restore the attractive stone casement windows of the original and Brierley aspects of the building. Overall, a greater provision of retained historic fabric and features through this application would be needed to better assess the impact of the scheme.
York Civic Trust’s response: Object
Decision: Approved
Application Address: St Giles Church, The Green, Skelton, York. YO30 1XU
Planning reference no.: 18/02234/FUL

Proposal: Erection of detached building to house WC.
Importance: St Giles’s Church dates to 1247 and is reputed to have been built by masons responsible for York Minster’s South Transept (either with leftover stone from the Minster or as a maquette for future building in the Minster; hence its alternative historic name being “Little St Peter’s”). The church is a Grade I Listed Building and is in the Skelton village Conservation Area.
Opportunities: The provision of WC facilities for the church would enhance the comfort of its users andthe church’s overall usability.
Impact: Some archaeological deposits in the graveyard will be lost. The use of timber in the design of the WC unit is to help it blend in with its surroundings. It is also tucked away to the rear of the church.
Concerns / benefits: Any archaeological loss might be recorded through the use of a ‘watching brief’ during construction. The provision of the amenity will enhance the usability of the church, and thus contribute to its long-term future. The design is acceptable, although the use of a more asymmetrical form, as used at Holy Trinity Goodramgate (and used as an exempla in this application), would help diminish any possibility of the wooden WC unit being mistaken as a garden / potting shed.
York Civic Trust’s response: Support
Decision: Application withdrawn
October 2018
Application Address: 35 St Marys York
Planning reference no.: 18/01890/LBC

Proposal: Alterations to internal layout to include removal of partition walls and installation of new, relocation of boiler and external flue and replacement of bathroom window
Importance: No.35 St Mary’s is an attractive, early-Victorian semi-detached property that, combined with No.36 St Mary’s, is Grade II listed. The Trust understands that No.35 is one of a number of buildings in this street built by the Rowntree family, and – according to the listing description – possibly designed by G.T. Andrews, a leading architect associated with the city at this time. The property is also in the Central Historic Core Conservation Area.
Opportunities: The internal layout of No.35 has been much changed over the years. A sensitive alteration scheme might restore and reveal existing historic fabric and layout.
Impact: It is unclear from the application whether historic fabric would be lost due to the alterations, or if it has already been removed.
Concerns / benefits: The listing description gives reference to important internal features, including first-floor fireplaces, console cornice shelf, and moulded cornices, as well as iron railings at the front of the properties for No.35 & No.36. The applicant’s Heritage Statement briefly mentions that ‘none of these features appear to survive in 2018’. This is hugely disappointing, as is the condition of the interior as seen in photos included as part of the submitted ‘Existing and Proposed A1 35 St Mary’s’ planning application drawing, which appear to show internal alterations having already been made and, apparently, in advance of Listed Building Consent having been granted. The photos show internal walls, ceilings and presumably also cornicing all stripped away, and doors removed. An investigation into the building’s ‘missing’ historic fabric is urgently required.
York Civic Trust’s response: Object
Decision: Approved
Application Address: Rowntree Wharf, Navigation Road
Planning reference no.: 18/02222/LBC

Proposal: Internal alterations associated with conversion of ground floor office into 9 no. residential units.
Importance: Rowntree Wharf is a former flour rolling mill of 1896 designed by Penty and Leetham. Following the closure of the flour mill in 1935, the building was subsequently used as an import warehouse for cocoa beans for the Rowntree Factory. It holds important historic significance of York’s rich industrial and social history, and is Grade II listed. It is situated on a prominent peninsula on the River Foss.
Opportunities: As a large building, Rowntree Wharf has the opportunity to comprise a vibrant and diverse community – part residential and part commercial space as originally intended in its 1989 conversion to offices (ground and first floor) and residential (upper floors). The continued use of some aspect of the building for employment would be more in keeping with its historical function.
Impact: Any material loss of historic fabric would be limited. However, the visualization of the building’s former use as an industrial space will be greatly reduced through the partial concealment of iron columns and the forming of a ‘hotel-style corridor’ running the length of the building with studio flats, mostly very small, adjoining on either side.
Concerns / benefits: As with a previous conversion scheme in 2017 (17/01906/LBC), the majority of the proposed units are studio rooms and less than 30m2 gross internal floor area) – far short of the Government’s recommended internal floor area of 37m2 for a single occupancy bedroom. While contributing very modestly to York’s housing need, the size of the rooms are unsatisfactory to provide for the well being of York citizens. The changes will also disrupt the personality of the building and cheapen what is an important and prominent historic landmark in the city.
York Civic Trust’s response: Object
Decision: Approved
September 2018
Application Address: Club Salvation, George Hudson Street, York, YO1 6JL
Planning reference no.: 18/01867/LBC

Proposal: Conversion of first and second floor and third and fourth floor extension to create 19no. serviced apartments, change of use of 23 and 25 Tanner Row ground floor and basement to A3 with ancillary accommodation, 27 and 29 George Hudson Street ground floor and basement will remain retail with storage, and 31 George Hudson Street ground floor and basement will be amenity space for the serviced apartments.
Importance: No.23 Tanner Row (‘Club Salvation’ nightclub) was originally known as the Great Northern Hotel and designed as a prestigious building in a prominent position on the corner of Tanner Row and George Hudson Street, the latter being created in 1877 – the likely date for the hotel’s construction. It is in the Central Historic Core Conservation Area (Character Area 21: Micklegate)
Opportunities: To improve the streetscape, which has been lessened in recent years due, amongst others, to the black facade of ‘Club Salvation’. It could also help form a visual gateway opposite the attractive, tall 1899 no.22 George Hudson Street (Grade II) by better help ‘framing’ the approach to George Hudson Street from Rougier Street.
Impact: Any material loss at ground floor level will be of modern interventions. The upper storeys on George Hudson Street will see the removal of (historic?) internal walls and the staircase at no.27. The ‘restoration’ of upper floors will inevitably raise the height of the building, although no less than historically was the case, and will likely better define George Hudson Street.
Concerns / benefits: The refurbishment of ‘Club Salvation’ will improve the streetscape and ground floor level, especially during the daytime. However, consideration will need to be given to poor air-quality on George Hudson Street, and mitigate how this will not impact on the health of residents. The “restored” upper floors, which were removed following WW2 war damage, will positively contribute to the recent redevelopment of the Rougier Street area. The removal of modern partition walls and fittings on the ground floor at no.31 George Hudson Street that are associated with the nightclub will help reinstate the property as a listed townhouse above a ground-floor retail unit. However, the proposed upper-floor alterations of nos. 27-31 George Hudson Street would see the existing duplex arrangement reconstructed as one-bedroom apartments, with the potential loss of historic material and fixtures.
York Civic Trust’s response: Support
Decision: Application withdrawn
Application Address: York Cemetery Trust Kiosk, York Cemetery, Cemetery Road, York, YO10 5AJ
Planning reference no.: 18/01621/LBC

Proposal: Single storey extension and alterations to building to form volunteers centre with associated facilities and tool store (resubmission).
Importance: York Cemetery dates from 1837. It was designed as a garden cemetery by James Piggott Pritchett, an architect with a long-established connection with York (including the façade of the York Assembly Rooms and The Savings Bank on St Helen’s Square). It is a Grade II* Listed landscape and is one of only two privately owned Victorian Cemeteries in the UK.
Opportunities: To improve the street presence of the cemetery, especially if the concrete garage / shed at the front of the site was to be removed.
Impact: Mostly low impact on the historic setting, continuing to be subservient in size and detailing to the adjacent Greek-Revival style Grade II Cemetery Lodge.
Concerns / benefits: This resubmitted scheme would lead to the improvement of the cemetery’s setting, especially with the proposed removal of the concrete garage.
York Civic Trust’s response: Support
Decision: Approved
JULY 2018
Application address: Infinity Motorcycles, 46 Piccadilly, York YO1 9NU
Planning reference no.: 18/01296/FULM

Proposal: Erection of a 6-storey hotel with 155 bedrooms, with a 6-storey apartment block of 8 apartments, following the demolition of existing buildings.
Importance: This is a historic site of archaeological importance. It is also central to the Council’s Castle Gateway Masterplan which aims to redevelop and better integrate the Piccadilly, (Clifford’s Tower) Castle Complex, and St George’s Field areas as a gateway to the city centre from the south. The location will form the backdrop to Clifford’s Tower and the Castle Museum buildings, which are Grade I listed.
Opportunities: A hotel would be a positive contribution to the city and in keeping with the Castle Gateway Masterplan ambitions.
Impact: Planning approval was granted for a similar, but smaller scheme in 2017 (17/00429/FULM). The apartments are to be 1.5m taller facing the River Foss. There is also to be a new 6-storey structure joining the hotel and the apartments. Opportunity for a pedestrian / cycle bridge across the River Foss, which is part of the Castle Gateway Masterplan will not be compatible with this site anymore.
Concerns / benefits: The increased size of the riverside aprtments and connecting building will be over-development, and a consequence negative impact on historic sites and river/streetscape. It will also have a detrimental impact on the strategic implementation of the wider Castle Gateway Masterplan, limiting the position of the intended pedestrian / cycle bridge across the River Foss to land to the south of Ryedale House, where there would be poor visibility for it. These concern outweigh any public benefit from greater residential and hotel provision in the city.
York Civic Trust’s response: object
Decision: Approved
Application address: Mr Ps Curious Tavern, 71 Low Petergate, York YO1 7HY
Planning reference no.: 18/01197/LBC

Proposal: Internal and external works including replacement cast iron rainwater pipe to front elevation, replace rotten timbers and splice in replacement oak, rebuild 2no. brick infill panels and install structural steelwork to support front elevation wall
Importance: 71 Low Petergate is an early C17 timber framed house and workshop, now shop. The application relates more to 73 Low Petergate, part of four timber-framed houses dating from Late C16, with later extensions, now three shops. No 71 and No 73 Low Petergate are Grade II and Grade II* listed respectively..Both are in the city’s Historic Core Conservation Area and Low Petergate is one of the city’s most historic and aesthetically pleasing streets.
Opportunities: There is here a possibility to provide sustainable and much needed conservation repairs to this property following timber decay leading to structural issues.
Impact: The replacement of decayed and damaged medieval floor joists and timber posts with the support of steel straps will help prevent further deterioration of the building.
Concerns / benefits: The remedial work will benefit the individual building through making its structurally secure. This will also sustain its contribution to the streetscape and conservation area.
York Civic Trust’s response: support
Decision: Approved
Application address: Gusto, 2 – 4 Little Stonegate, York YO1 8AX
Planning reference no.: 18/01245/FUL

Proposal: A resubmitted application to change the use of the public highway in order to provide outdoor seating area for this cafe.
Importance: Little Stonegate is in York’s Historic Core Conservation Area and acts as an important pedestrian route connecting the historic streets of Stonegate, Swinegate and Low Petergate, as well as access to the historic ‘snickleways’ of.Nether Hornpot Lane and Finkle Street.
Opportunities: The change of use of the public highway would offer a public benefit to those using the cafe.
Impact: Little Stonegate is already constrained by outdoor seating, including two restaurants immediately opposite this cafe. This proposal would exacerbate this over-development in the public realm, and likely deter pedestrian access along the street, with knock-on effects with the more historic streets of Swinegate, Nether Hornpot Lane and Finkle Street
Concerns / benefits: The proposal to entirely use the pathway on the right-hand side of Little Stonegate would greatly restrict pedestrian and road traffic access, especially for those with disabilities or who require wider access for the use of prams. These concerns outweigh any public benefit from more catering provision in the city.
York Civic Trust’s response: object
Decision: Approved
Application address: Ryedale House, 58 – 60 Piccadilly York YO1 9PE
Planning reference no.: 18/01176/FULM

Proposal: Erection of four-storey extension to provide 4no. flexible use commercial units at ground floor level with 14no. new/enlarged apartments, substations, and balcony extensions to 3no. existing apartments and widening of existing pavement along Piccadilly with associated carriageway narrowing, landscaping and ancillary works
Importance: While often seen by many, including in the the Piccadilly Conservation Area Appraisal, as a ‘detracting’ building – perhaps best understood as an interesting building in a completely inappropriate location – Ryedale House is a rare surviving example of 1960/70s large-scale office development in 1960s/70s, when the provision of office space was understood as an asset to the city in aiding post-industrial employment. Ryedale House was design by Diamond Redfern & Partners in 1972, and has an interesting pin-wheel shape. It is in the Council’s Castle Gateway Masterplan, which aims to redevelop and better integrate the Piccadilly, (Clifford’s Tower) Castle Complex, and St George’s Field areas as a gateway to the city centre from the south. The building will form the backdrop to Clifford’s Tower and the Castle Museum buildings, which are Grade I listed.
Opportunities: Conversion of the office space for residential use was granted in 2017 (16/02022/ORC), which will see a change in the external shell of the building (17/00429/FULM). This four-storey extension would provide additional residential provision in the city.
Impact: The four-storey extension would be very apparent on Piccadilly, especially when approaching form the south, with the highway reduced by c.2.5m. While the extension would not likely be visible from the historic landmarks in the castle complex area,
Concerns / benefits: The large extension will result in the loss of the building’s architectural unity, and ability to ‘read’ the original 1972 pin-wheel design. It will also be over-development on Piccadilly, resulting in the loss of the public highway. This ‘boxing-in’ of Ryedale House will also have a detrimental impact on the strategic implementation of the wider Castle Gateway Masterplan, limiting the position of the intended pedestrian / cycle bridge across the River Foss to land to the south of Ryedale House, where there would be poor visibility for it. These concerns outweigh any public benefit from greater residential and commercial provision in the city.
York Civic Trust’s response: object
Decision: Approved, following a revised scheme that will reduce the massing of the extension and very slightly set it back from the boundary line on Piccadilly.
JUNE 2018
Application address: Holgate House, 133 Holgate Road, York YO24 4DF
Planning reference no.: 18/00836/FUL

Proposal: A three-storey rear extension to form six additional residential units with associated access and parking.
Importance: As a large, handsome late-Victorian semi-detached property on Holgate Road, Holgate House positively contributes to the character of St Paul’s Square / Holgate Road Conservation Area.
Opportunities: Holgate House had a sizeable side extension added in the early C21, which is not entirely sympathetic to the original building. A rear extension could help re-balance the aesthetics of the building in a more sensitive manner.
Impact: The proposal is for an extension that will add a similar footprint to that of the original C19 building. This will lead to large massing on this important historic and busy road connecting the city centre with the suburban areas of Holgate, Acomb and Boroughbridge Road.
Concerns / benefits: The size of the extension will be gross over-development in a sensitive historic location. This will cause an adverse effect on the conservation area and streetscape, especially due to the siting of Holgate House on a bend, so the extension is likely to produce a substantial visual prominence and ‘block’ on Holgate Road when approaching from the east. These concern outweigh any public benefit from greater residential provision in this suburb.
York Civic Trust’s response: object
Decision: Refused
APRIL 2018
Application address: St Joseph’s Convent Of Poor Clare Colettines, Lawrence Street, York, YO10 3EB
Planning reference no.: 18/00639/LBC

Proposal: Conversion, alteration and part demolition of existing buildings (the Lodge and Extern House) to provide 10no. apartments and erection of 4no. dwellings
Importance: This former convent is a fine example of the Catholic Revival movement in England during the C19. The Lodge and Extern House are handsome buildings of aesthetic and architectural merit, both being designed, like the rest of the original convent, by George Goldie in 1870-75. The whole convent site is Grade II listed.
Opportunities: While the ability to read the whole site as a former convent has been greatly and lamentably undermined by development since 2014, the historic connection of the site as a former convent could be enhanced through a sensitive conservation solution being used with these last remaining buildings. The Lodge, in particular, has great potential for this, due to its street presence on Lawrence Street.
Impact: Externally, both buildings will remain in a similar size and almost similar architectural form. The new 4no. dwelling development is unmistakably C21, but deferential in size and location to the C19 buildings. Internally, the buildings will be majorly remodeled, and much more so than the previously approved scheme of 2014: 14/02405/LBC.
Concerns / benefits: There is major concern for the near complete loss of internal historic fixtures and fittings, as well as the ability to read the original layout of the building through the loss of internal rooms, staircases and corridors. The listing description details these features, which are still present, and justification would need to be given for their loss. The benefit of the re-use of the buildings would be for housing targets and their upkeep in a used form.
York Civic Trust’s response: object
Decision: Approved, following a revised scheme that will maintain the original layout of the corridor leading to the offertory in the Extern House.
Application address: Bathurst House, 86 Micklegate, York, YO1 6LQ
Planning reference no.: 18/00940/LBC

Proposal: Internal and external alterations including demolition of existing single storey rear extension, installation of glazed link, two storey rear extension, removal of internal walls and internal and external repair works in association with change of use from office to dwelling.
Importance: This Grade II* listed building is in the Central Historic Core Conservation Area. The property is of high significance as an example of early C18 architecture and is a positive contributor to the Conservation Area.
Opportunities: The possibility to return Bathurst House to its original use as a single residence.
Impact: External conservation of the building will subtly improve its street impact. Demolition of a rear extension and internal stud walls are of recent additions. The glazed link will not be visible from Micklegate, Toft Green or Barker Lane.
Concerns / benefits: The use of the building once more as a residential use is likely to provide its continued care and ensure its long-term sustainability. Replacement of C20 office stud walling and general opening out of the room space will provide a better appreciation of the historic interior. Conservation attention will need to be given to the reinstatement of a blocked window opening on the gable end the C18 service wing and the removal below it of original brickwork to from an open fireplace.
York Civic Trust’s response: support
Decision: Approved
Application address: Mali 5 Whip-Ma-Whop-Ma-Gate York YO1 8BL
Planning reference no.: 18/00738/FUL

Proposal: Change of use of barbers to restaurant/bar and formation of roof-top terrace with balustrade to rear.
Importance: While this is a C20 building of little merit, the site is located in a highly sensitive historic location closely connected to the ancient medieval streets of Colliergate, St Saviourgate, and Fossgate. It is within the city’s Historic Core Conservation Area.
Opportunities: The change of use continues to offer a public benefit.
Impact: The internal changes would not be detrimental to the streetscape and possibly make a fuller use of the property. The addition of a roof-top terrace will be visible (and audible) from surrounding streets, including Fossgate.
Concerns / benefits: The roof-top terrace and balustrade will diminish the character of the streetscape and conservation area, needlessly distracting the eye from one of the city’s Key Historic Core Views: the view of the Minster from Fossgate and the Foss Bridge. This concern outweighs any marginal public benefit from more catering provision in the city.
York Civic Trust’s response: Object
Decision: Approved, following a revised scheme that will visually conceal the roof-top terrace.
MARCH 2018
Application address: 48A Marygate, York, YO30 7BH
Planning reference no.:18/00452/LBC

Proposal: Erection of two storey dwelling following demolition of existing garage block with detached outbuilding forming studio to rear.
Importance: This is a historic and aesthetically sensitive site, situated between two Grade II listed properties (C17 and C19) and opposite the Grade I listed St Olave’s Church (C15). It is within the city’s Historic Core Conservation Area.
Opportunities: To add a small residential unit, and as such contribute to the city’s housing need.
Impact: This is an unapologetic C21 design. The building will be near the front of the plot and prominent in size (two storeys) and material (including zinc shingle tiles); it will not be subtle.
Concerns / benefits: While C21 architecture in York should be supported when of appropriate ambition and scale and in a suitable setting, there are major concerns that the choice of materials, architectural form and setting here are ill-suited.
York Civic Trust’s response: object
Decision: Approved, following a revised scheme that reduces the height of the building.
Application Address: York Cemetery Trust Kiosk, York Cemetery, Cemetery Road, York, YO10 5AJ
Planning reference no.: 18/00384/LBC

Proposal: Single storey extension to form visitors centre with associated facilities and tool store
Importance: York Cemetery dates from 1837. It was designed as a garden cemetery by James Piggott Pritchett, an architect with a long-established connection with York (including the façade of the York Assembly Rooms and The Savings Bank on St Helen’s Square). It is a Grade II* Listed landscape and is one of only two privately owned Victorian Cemeteries in the UK.
Opportunities: To improve the street presence of the cemetery, especially if the concrete garage / shed was to be removed.
Impact: Mostly low impact on the historic setting, continuing to be subservient in size and detailing to the adjacent Greek-Revival style Grade II Cemetery Lodge.
Concerns / benefits: An improvement to the setting of the cemetery. Some of the materials to be used (esp. the coloured aluminium frame) are insensitive to the site.
York Civic Trust’s response: Support
Decision: Application withdrawn