New retail scheme could be full in just six weeks

When it opens next Easter, the £90m Vangarde development will include a John Lewis, Next and Marks & Spencer stores.

The development on the outskirts of York will also include a 6,000-seat community stadium, which will be home to York City FC and the York City Knights rugby league club.

However, the team behind the development has been held up by an unexpected obstacle – the presence of Great Crested Newts on the site.

The newts are protected across Europe, and an alternative habitat nearby had to be found for them before the work could start.

The “physical cost” of moving them has been estimated at around £500,000, although according to the developers, the total cost of dealing with the Great Crested Newts could run into millions, because of the delays they have inflicted on the project.

The Vangarde development secured outline planning permission from City of York Council in July 2012.

Oakgate (Monks Cross) submitted the planning application for a scheme which is expected to stimulate economic growth around York by creating jobs and attracting visitors.

Richard France, the managing director of The Oakgate Group, confirmed that agreements were expected to be signed in relation to the remaining units within four to six weeks.

He added: “After nearly three and a half years of preparation and planning, it’s great to see a start on site.

“Work was delayed due to ecological reasons – the re-housing of the Great Crested Newts and the unseasonably cold Easter this year.

“We can now start in earnest to deliver not only 1,000 jobs, but help secure the sporting legacy of the community stadium.

“York and its residents will soon be able to see for themselves the investment taking shape. It’s an exciting time for the city.”

According to Mr France, the new development is expected to provide a £12m to £14m annual boost to York’s economy.

He added: “It will allow York to cement itself as a major retail destination in Yorkshire, so soon after the opening of Trinity Leeds.”

The Oakgate Group was formed in 1995 and develops and refurbishes retail and leisure sites across the UK.

Its projects have included Exchange Quarter in Leeds and Clumber & Lincoln St, Nottingham.

Mr France said York had to compete with other retail centres, such as Leeds.

Trinity Leeds has attracted four million visitors since the £350m scheme opened eight weeks ago, exceeding the shopping centre’s expectations.

Coun James Alexander, the leader of York City Council, said: “This development marks an exciting period for York and its residents and sends a strong signal to the marketplace that York is open for business and open for opportunity.

“Not only is the retail offering in York being enhanced, providing an economic boost to the city, but this is another major step forward in the delivery of the community stadium – which will provide a new home for our professional sports clubs, community health and sporting facilities to be proud of.”

Andrew Murray, managing director of Caddick Construction, which has been awarded the contract to build the shopping centre, said: “We are responsible for delivering 339,000 sq ft of retail space, all associated infrastructure and the site works.

“Construction work is expected to take 50 weeks to complete.”

The flagship development, which is supported by Bank Leumi (UK) and is due to open before Easter 2014, will include a range of restaurants and retail kiosks.

There will also be a boulevard and a central walkway linking the stores to the Monks Cross park and ride site, which is designed to make it easier to visit the city centre.

Caddick Group’s developments include Monks Cross and the Designer Outlet Village in York, Trinity Leeds, Scarborough Business Park, Rose Wharf in Leeds and residential schemes in central London.

Bank Leumi (UK) is a boutique bank offering a range of corporate and private banking services to UK-based and international clients.

At vanguard of construction

THE Vangarde retail park is being built by Caddick Construction, which has been involved in a number of high profile Yorkshire schemes.

Andrew Murray, the managing director of Caddick Construction said: “We have seen signs of the construction market in Yorkshire and the Humber picking up, in particular, with regards to our civil engineering work for the residential sector.

“Major projects such as the Vangarde Retail Park are not only bringing significant private sector investment into the county, but also securing major retailers such as John Lewis, which will bring a further boost to York’s economy.

“Interestingly, we have also seen a number of public sector opportunities coming forward, and Caddick is due to start on the new York fire station in the coming weeks.”