GALLERY | Tweaks made to Coney Street Riverside
Discussions with City of York Council and other stakeholders have led to some buildings being scaled down and moved back from the waterfront, as Helmsley Group seeks a 2024 consent for its masterplan.
The developer, which had initially hoped to be in front of committee this autumn with the plans, described the changes as positive, highlighting a significant increase in the amount of public realm, improved accessibility and enhanced building designs.
Revised plans have now been submitted.
Helmsley’s masterplan includes the creation of 250,000 sq ft of mixed-use retail, leisure, commercial and residential space, a riverside walkway and the establishment of significant green and accessible public realm, both on the waterfront itself and also through the creation of new access routes between Coney Street and the River Ouse, much of which has been neglected under previous fragmented ownerships.
The project team includes brown + company, O’Neill Associates, Corstorphine & Wright, Montagu Evans, Aspect4, Gillespies, Troup Bywaters & Anders, Billinghurst George & Partners, Jane Simpson Access, Knight Frank, DS Emotion and Aberfield Communications.
Key changes proposed by Helmsley include:
- Redesigned public realm throughout the scheme, including significant increases in the amount of public space on the riverfront.
- Increased active retail frontage across the scheme.
- A reduction in some of the proposed buildings’ shapes and sizes, as well as moving some of the buildings further away from the river edge to improve the overall quality of the scheme.
- Improved accessibility across the development.
Max Reeves, development director at Helmsley Group, said: “Having worked closely with key stakeholders in York over the past few months, we have been heartened by the positive response we have had to our plans for Coney Street Riverside.
“These include the public benefits of bringing underutilised upper floors of retail units back into use, a long-held ambition in York, whilst also creating world class public realm fit for this prime location on York’s riverfront.
“We have consulted extensively across the city with heritage bodies, Council planners, York residents, accessibility groups and beyond. We’d encourage everyone to look at our proposals, which are publicly available on the City of York Council planning portal and our own dedicated Coney Street Riverside website, to discover more about the positive transformation we are looking to provide on both the riverfront and Coney Street itself.”
Helmsley has remained busy on both Coney Street and other York projects, with retailer Søstrene Grene opening last month as a tenant. Plans have also been revealed for a residential scheme in High Ousegate.
Reeves continued: “As a long-established York business, we are committed to creating a truly mixed-use, vibrant development that not only sustainably redevelops historic Coney Street into the social heart of York, but creates a positive legacy through first class public spaces of international standing, and architecture which ensures that the history and heritage of the area is not just recognised, but honoured and protected.
“We believe the improvements we have put forward positively build on our long-held ambition to reconnect Coney Street with its riverfront, improving connectivity and accessibility within central York alongside a welcoming, family friendly offer and much-needed accommodation to meet student demand within the city.”
Click any image to launch gallery. Credit: via Aberfield
