York housing scheme in Lawrence Street criticised by Civic Trust

Black Lion Limited has produced a second set of proposals to build five accommodation blocks, which would house 282 people, on land where the Reg Vardy garage in Lawrence Street used to stand.

The company withdrew its original scheme following objections about the scale of the development, but its new blueprint has now also been opposed by York Civic Trust and the parishes of St Lawrence and St Hilda.

The blocks range from two to three-and-a-half storeys in height and Black Lion has claimed they would not harm the historic nature of the area.

However, in a letter to City of York Council, the Civic Trust echoed its previous fears about the proposals for the Tannery site, saying: “We continue to be very concerned at the over-development of this site and its detrimental effect on the nearby 11 listed buildings, a scheduled ancient monument and a conservation area.

“The high concentration of students on this site is bound to have an adverse effect on the amenities of the neighbouring residents, and no amount of management will secure control over noise and disturbance.”

Meanwhile, the two parishes say although they feel the scheme has been approved, their bell-ringing activities would cause noise problems for students living in the proposed blocks, a concern previously voiced when the original application was submitted.

Their objection letter also raised issues of “loud and unruly behaviour” and “trespass parking”, saying: “The proposed development is very large in terms of the number of students and we consider it would be socially and physically intimidating.”

The Barbican Management Company (York) Limited, which looks after 58 nearby properties, has also objected to the plans, which Black Lion has said would lead to a “significant enhancement of the site” and could “improve the character and appearance of the conservation area”.

Planners are expected to make a decision in September.