Castle Gateway: council reveals how project could look

They come as the authority announces that a new planning application for the site, hoping to turn the Castle Car Park and Eye of York into a new world-class open space, will be submitted early next year.

An original planning application was submitted in February 2022, but this has had to be revised due to a lack of funding, a council spokesperson said.

Instead, they explained, the development scheme will be brought forward in phases as funding becomes available.

The Press previously reported that the council failed to get any of the £25 million government levelling up funding it applied for, which included £10 million to provide 'public realm' improvements for the Castle Gateway project.

Updated designs from landscape architects BDP show how the Castle and Eye of York area could meet residents’ ambitions for the public space to replace Castle Car Park, as well as how it can become greener and more accessible.

It follows council chiefs, last year, asking for the scheme to deliver flexible green space with children’s play provision, retain blue badge parking numbers and reduce capital and management costs.

At the time, Cllr Pete Kilbane, the council’s deputy leader, also ruled out turning St George’s Field car park into a multi-story car park, which had previously been proposed partly to replace parking at Clifford’s Tower.

• Council still hopes to fund Castle Gateway project - but car park scrapped

Residents and business will be asked to feedback on the new plans. These include more planting and green spaces, improved pedestrian facilities, options for retained blue badge parking, and connections to the river with a riverside path and boardwalk to the rear of the Castle Museum which would link to the proposed new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Foss.

A council spokesperson said the authority has worked with My Future York “to put residents’ views at the heart of plans to transform the car park, Eye of York and the wider area”.

“The extensive My Castle Gateway engagement over recent years has provided a public brief for the community space and connected residents to the designers BDP as they bring those ideas to life.”

'We want to get on with delivering these improvements,' says council's finance boss

Cllr Katie Lomas, the council’s executive member for finance, said the Castle Gateway plans have been shaped by a “real desire to improve this important part of the city”.

She urged people to participate in the project, saying: “We want to get on with delivering these improvements.

“The key changes that we are asking for views on respond to our core commitments as a council to equalities and climate as well as the recently approved ‘Our City Centre’ vision’.

Cllr Katie Lomas (Image: Supplied)

“Also, following unsuccessful levelling up funding bids in previous years, we need to adapt the scheme to make it affordable and deliverable for the city, all while achieving the improvements to the area that people are demanding of us.

“Your thoughts and feedback are vital in helping shape the scheme design before a revised planning application is submitted, so please take a look at the updated concept designs and have your say.”

How to have your say on the plans

The following events are being held for residents to ask questions and learn more about the plans:

• My Castle Gateway on-site tours will take place at 9:30, 11am, 12:30pm and 2pm on Saturday, September 7. To book a place, visit: https://mycastlegateway.org/events/  
• My Castle Gateway online event at 7.30pm on Monday, September 9.
• Guildhall Ward Committee meeting at 5.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, Friargate, York YO1 9RL (no ticket required) on Thursday, September 12.

Residents can provide feedback by commenting on the My Castle Gateway blog, social media pages, or by emailing regeneration@york.gov.uk