A FASHION chain has hit a hurdle in its plans to move into the former Borders store in the centre of York.

Cult, which sells men’s and women’s clothing, is aiming to open a new outlet at the Davygate site by September in a move which will create about 25 jobs.

But City of York Council planners have turned down its initial proposals to remodel the store’s facade after claiming they would be “extremely damaging to the building”, forcing the company back to the drawing board.

The site is the last remaining large vacant premise in the heart of York. It has stood empty since the end of 2009, when Borders went out of business.

Cult’s impending arrival was hailed as a shot in the arm for the city’s economy when it was revealed last month.

In a planning statement submitted to the council, agents acting for Cult said they were looking to refurbish the existing retail space and fit a new customer staircase between the two sales floors, as well as installing new shopfront glazing.

The alterations were also designed to “allow views into the store” – but planners said they included too much glass and showed “no understanding of the architectural qualities of the building”.

In a report outlining the reasons for the firm’s plans being refused, Jonathan Kenyon, the council’s development officer, said: “The existing award-winning building has been successfully designed as a unified whole.

“The proposals would undermine the integrity of the façade by changing its proportions, rhythm and details.

“It has been nationally recognised as an excellent example of modern architecture in its own right, as well as a building which makes a significant contribution to the townscape of this historic city and the setting of nearby listed buildings. By altering a central section of the building in the manner proposed, the value of its architectural contribution would be much reduced.”

He also said the plans would make the building “disjointed” and the design of the windows would affect its curved layout, while the colour scheme for its steelwork was also listed as a factor for their rejection.