Chamber lends weight to Coney Street ambitions
York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce has pledged its support to Helmsley Group’s Coney Street Riverside masterplan.
The business support organisation, alongside its York & North Yorkshire Property Forum lobby group, has lodged its backing with York City Council, which is due to rule on the applications filed by the locally-based developer.
Proposals include the creation of 250,000 sq ft of mixed-use retail, leisure, commercial, residential and extensive public realm.
The vision also supports the introduction of a boutique, independent retail experience, alongside the creation and rejuvenation of the historic lanes and passageways joining Coney Street and the River Ouse together, helping to make the riverfront accessible.
Helmsley’s professional team is led by planner O’Neill Associates. Architects Corstorphine & Wright and Vincent & Brown are leading on different zones of the masterplan.
Laurence Beardmore, president of York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, said: “We would like to state our support for the exciting and innovative plans that the Helmsley Group is proposing for Coney Street.
“We believe these plans will help to regenerate this part of the city centre in a manner sympathetic to the environment and heritage of our city. It represents a major investment in York that will benefit residents, visitors and businesses alike.
“The new riverside access along with retail and leisure destinations will contribute to the continued improvement of York city centre and vastly improve the public realm in the area.”
Helmsley has built up a lengthy track record across the city over a 40-year period, delivering schemes including the Old Fire Station, Westgate and Merchant’s Exchange on the Riverfront.
Beardmore continued: “These plans will also provide significant economic benefits to the city including the creation of both jobs and increased economic opportunities and will act as a catalyst for further investment and improvements throughout the city centre.
“They will also fully utilise currently underutilised buildings and we would urge York City Council to support these ambitions proposals and approve these planning applications.”
Max Reeves, development director at the Helmsley Group, said: “We are grateful to both York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce and York Property Forum for pledging their backing and public support to our vision for Coney Street Riverside.
“Both are influential groups within York and across the wider region as well as being representative of hundreds of leading organisations and people.
“Their support, alongside the extensive consultation work we have undertaken, is further evidence of the positive way our proposals have been received in the community.
“As we have previously stated, Coney Street Riverside offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to deliver the city’s long-held ambition to reinvigorate a loved but sadly under-appreciated area, reconnect Coney Street with its riverfront, create much-needed public realm of national standing and improve both connectivity and accessibility within central York.
“It builds on our vision to honour the area’s rich heritage while sensitively taking the necessary strides required to secure its long-term future.”
Feedback on the proposals can be provided via the City of York Council planning portal. The planning application reference numbers are 23/00420/FUL(for Zone A) and 22/02525/FULM (zones 2 to 4).
@Neil Tague – Zone 2 and 4 are being led by Vincent & Brown Architects, not C+W
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Story updated, thank you!
By Neil Tague