Place Yorkshire: top stories round-up

The results are in – Place Yorkshire has analysed the data and presents the most-read stories from across the region throughout the last year. Read on to discover what piqued your interest in 2024.

We selected the top two stories from all points of the Yorkshire compass and, in no particular regional order, here are your winners.

North Yorkshire

Chamber lends weight to Coney Street ambitions

In July, York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce pledged its support to Helmsley Group’s Coney Street Riverside masterplan. Proposals include the creation of 250,000 sq ft of mixed-use retail, leisure, commercial, residential, and extensive public realm.

This is 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, which has now had full planning permission granted

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.

The scheme includes 250,000 sq ft of mixed-use. Credit: via Aberfield

VIDEO | York Racecourse completes redevelopment

In August, upgrades to the racecourse were completed and later on in the year, a time-lapse video of the works was released. Architecture and planning practice FWP provided project management, cost consultancy, and design services, with the completed work carried out by principal contractor Lindum.

The redevelopment incorporated solar panels, rainwater harvesting, living roofs, and Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) approved planting, the new permanent Roberto Bar Pavilion, along with improvements to catering and toilet facilities.

Dawson Williamson is the architect for the project. Credit: York Racecourse

South Yorkshire

Sale agreed for 70,900 sq ft Barnsley industrial unit

It’s not always the most obvious schemes! As well as being the top story for South Yorkshire, this was Place Yorkshire’s most read industrial story for 2024. Back in September, Truswell Haulage disposed of its base in a sale and leaseback agreement for £3.4m, reflecting a net initial yield of 9.25%. The building sits on a 10.15 acre site on Fall Bank Industrial Estate.

The industrial unit is located in Dodworth. Credit: delaPR

Go-ahead sealed for Sheffield’s King’s Tower

In January, it was announced that approval had been granted for a 40-storey development that will bring close to 450 co-living units to Sheffield’s Castle Square. CJS7, trading as Oppidan Life, is the co-applicant with SFGE Properties on the project, designed by Hodder + Partners.

The project team includes planner Savills, Stephen Levrant Heritage Architecture, Define, LTP, ARS, ADT, Avison Young, Clancy, Watt Energy & Consulting Engineers, BB7 and RWDI.

Credit: via Savills

East Riding of Yorkshire

Dogger Bank plans considered for East Yorkshire

Despite being published late in the year in November, this story shot to the top and was the most highly read story overall for the year. Classed as a nationally significant infrastructure project, the proposal is for two offshore windfarms, as well as two converter stations south-west of Beverley, and associated cable routes.

Dogger Bank South is being developed by RWE and Masdar. The rising interest in this topic has inspired Place North to host its own Energy & Power event in 2025.

The proposed site for the two converter stations sits 400 metres north of Bentley, a rural hamlet in the East Riding of Yorkshire. Credit: from planning docs, via ERYC

Hull KR assembles team for regen bid

Another late-in-the-year entry and our top sports-related story. The rugby league club has taken on the role of developer for the land around its Craven Park home and in November selected a professional team featuring Warwick Smither Consulting, planner DPP, architect Corstorphine & Wright, cost consultant Ridge, highways advisor LTP, and communications firm Social.

Hull KR chief executive Paul Lakin said: “We’re delighted to be able to share our vision for our emerging masterplan for land around the Sewell Group Craven Park Stadium. We’re at the start of a journey. However, our ambition is to create a place that puts inclusivity, health and wellbeing, and amenity at the heart of our proposals.”

The land surrounding Sewell Group Craven Park was secured in 2022. Credit: via Social

West Yorkshire

Practical completion reached on first Aire Park buildings

Back in September, developer Vastint UK brought forward 190,000 sq ft of office space at 1 and 3 South Brook Street in the mixed-use Leeds district and with Leeds’ office market booming, the story unsurprisingly made people take notice.

Aire Park is a 24-acre development on the city’s South Bank, which in time will also see 1,400 homes, an eight-acre public park, retail & leisure and more delivered to the area. Ryder was the architect for both buildings.

The eight-acre park is designed by Planit. Credit: via Aberfield

Leeds retail park up for grabs at £18m

Coming in at No4 overall, in October St Georges Retail Park was put on the market, with Mason Partners and Savills as joint agents. Delivered by Commercial Development Projects and Rothstone Estates, the 65,000 sq ft development is located on Middleton Ring Road.

The retail park remains on the market, for those looking to do some last-minute Christmas shopping.

The park is already fully occupied. Credit: via Royal Pilgrim

And finally… Sheffield goes Dutch

Who knew a roundabout would draw such attention. Work on the city’s first Dutch-style roundabout started in April 2023 and in September, Place Yorkshire reported on its near completion.

Designed to make travel safer and easier for pedestrians and cyclists, the roundabout is part of a wider city council plan to improve sustainable transport links between the city centre and the Kelham and Neepsend area, and was a surprise hit with readers. The roundabout is now fully open.

The roundabout is part of the council’s wider plans to improve Sheffield’s green credentials. Credit: Sheffield City Council

There you have it – the most popular stories for 2024. Let’s wait and see what 2025 brings!

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