A MAJOR redevelopment of the medieval buildings at the heart of York could be a step closer next week.

On Tuesday, cabinet members of the city council will be asked to approve the next stage of the plans to transform the historic Guildhall into a riverside Digital Media Arts Centre, to boost the creative industries in York.

The complex has laid largely empty since council staff moved into their West Offices base in spring last year, and officers spearheading the DMAC plans for the Guildhall say leaving the buildings unoccupied risks seeing them deteriorate further.

Now, after two years of work and an in depth feasibility study, the council has laid out its timetable for the rest of the project, which involves a design team being appointed by autumn next year, construction work starting a year later and work finishing by early 2018.

Cllr Dafydd Williams, the current cabinet member for finance and incoming council leader, described the scheme as a "world class venue and exhibition space" which will help small creative businesses grow and keep talent in the city.

And while the listed medieval Guildhall and Victorian council chamber will remain largely unchanged, the former council offices will be reconfigured to create modern offices and a first floor added on to the 20th century north annex, together making space for 170-180 people to work.

Besides the work space, the development could feature a cafe, restaurant, and riverside walkways opening the area up the the public.

The project will see City of York Council appointing consultants, designers and operators separately rather than in a joint design, build and operating contract.

Project manager David Warbuton said: "This is too important a building, and the council needs to keep control over it."

Once completed, the refurbished building will be run by a specialist operator, but Cllr Williams said the site should become self funding.

"This is not going to be a revenue earner for the council, but the buidling is part of the historic fabric of the city.

"The Guildhall has been at the centre of civic life in York for centuries, and we need to find new uses to breathe new life into it."

The cabinet will be asked to approve the release of £500,000 of council cash - from an already allocated £1.4million pot -to fund detailed design work and start the planning and listed building applications.

The overall project looks set to cost around £9.2 million with cash from council capital funds, borrowing, and the Economic Infastructure Fund and £1.7 million still to be found.

As the project progresses, the approval of full council will have to be secured before the cash can be spent.