Parking offer

The Evening Press reported earlier this year how people living in back streets off Heslington Road feared traffic chaos if the Barbican car park closed and Kent Street car park was reduced in size, as is proposed.

Residents feared particularly acute problems during evening concerts, when they believed revellers would try to park on their streets rather than use St George's Field car park, as suggested.

But now the developers have told City of York Council they have set aside £25,000 to cover the costs of setting up of a residents' parking scheme, if householders want one.

The money would also cover the cost of providing one resident's permit per household, but only for the first year of the scheme.

They also say that a car club being proposed for carless people living in the proposed Barbican apartments will also be open to residents in adjacent local streets if they wished.

The developers have also revealed there could be improvements to the pedestrian route between St George's Field and the Barbican for concert goers who have to park at St George's and then walk to and from the centre.

They say they will "examine improvements" to create an "attractive, high quality pedestrian route", and submit these to the council.

A number of other amendments have been submitted by the developers, including plans to create roof gardens above the proposed apartment block, with a roof top staircase and lift access shaft, and alterations to the Paragon Street frontage.

A statement of operations for the "New Barbican" says that, as well as continuing to host concerts featuring bands such as Status Quo, David Essex and Jools Holland, and community events such as the Festival of Remembrance and York Guildhall Orchestra, the auditorium will also host arts and cultural exhibitions and even wedding receptions.

A "dedicated, state-of-the-art" banqueting kitchen is planned, capable of catering for up to 1,500 people.

Updated: 09:37 Saturday, March 27, 2004