City hotel bid is thrown out by planners

Members of City of York Council's planning and transport committee refused permission for the proposed development because of its size and impact on other buildings in the conservation area.

The bid by York company Hollin Hill Properties Ltd had been earmarked for approval by planning officers but councillors voted five to four to throw it out.

The company wanted to build an 84-room hotel and relocate an existing city medical practice on the site of old newspaper offices at the junction of Piccadilly and Mill Street.

Architect Nick Midgeley told the committee: "It will be a positive contribution to the Piccadilly townscape and will create a positive gateway into the street."

The pale brick building was to be just over 20 metres high - 3.5 metres higher than the adjacent Piccadilly Plaza residential development and six metres higher than the old county court building.

It was to feature a low-profile aluminium roof, a transparent staircase enclosure on the Piccadilly frontage and a double-height glazed reception area.

But while its sheer size was the stumbling block, a number of concerns were raised about the modern design of the building.

Coun Brian Watson said: "I think it is absolutely awful. It's just a box with some glass in it. The only thing it blends in with is Ryedale House and hopefully the day will come when that will disappear. I think Piccadilly deserves something better."

Coun Ann Reid said: "I don't like it and I don't think it sits very well with the other buildings. If the people out their don't like it they will be asking us why we have passed it."

Coun Janet Looker said that while a variety of the heights on the skyline could be quite positive, she found this "an obnoxious building".

Members also raised concerns about how extra coaches picking up and dropping off at the hotel would affect traffic.

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