Roman Quarter refusal - Horrible Histories author Terry Deary says decision has 'put the knife into the city of York'

The council’s decision to reject plans for the huge Roman Quarter development have left the developers “disappointed”, some supporters angry and critics relieved.

The project featured a Roman visitor attraction and 10 storey building of 211 apartments and office space. It was turned down by a majority vote at a planning meeting on Wednesday due to concerns over a lack of affordable housing and quality job creation.

The developers - a partnership between York Archaeological Trust, North Star and Rougier Street Developments - could now appeal the decision to the planning inspector and submit a fresh application to York Council. A spokesperson for the developers said they are currently considering all options

.Supporters have shared their disappointment over the decision.

Shaun Collinge, who runs The Maltings near the site, said the verdict was a “bit of a shock,” adding: “The area I believe has been neglected in recent years and is in need of a regeneration programme.

“I hope that a compromise can be reached between the developers and the council with regards to the proposed development and North Star can breathe life into a tired and uninviting part of the city.”

Terry Deary, creator of the Horrible Histories books, has supported the scheme and told BBC York: “It’s the most shameful and absurd decision any committee has ever made. They have put a knife into the city, they have deprived York of tourism, hospitality, employment, £20million a year to the economy.

“I’m absolutely shocked at the decision, it’s disgraceful, but that’s democracy.”

Philip Bolson, former manager of The Grand Hotel and director at York BID was due to speak at the meeting but was told there were too many people registered. He said: “Many cities would love to have the opportunity of a development and inward investment such as this and it is a shame for the city to potentially lose this fantastic project.”

“I was going to say I firmly believed this development would be an exciting and positive addition to York with many obvious benefits including economic, cultural, and social.”

But some residents are relieved by the decision to reject the plans.

One tweeted: “Good decision by councillors. So-called ‘Roman Quarter’ just a smokescreen for massive overdevelopment.”

Another wrote: “It’s the size of the block that was the problem. I personally hope they re-submit something much smaller and still keep the Roman visitor attraction.”

On Facebook a reader said: “While the area would benefit from some redevelopment this proposal was never right. Completely eradicating one of the main nightlife areas is a terrible idea for York and as pointed out, the promised music venue was missing. Hopefully any future proposals include a better commitment to preserving culture and a better fit architecturally.”

The plans had also been opposed by the Council for British Archaeology, Historic England and the Ancient Monuments Society.

A spokesperson for developers North Star said: “We are naturally very disappointed and are now considering all our options. We remain committed to the site and would like to thank our many supporters, including local businesses, residents and a wide range of organisations in York and beyond, for their enthusiasm on these exciting and ambitious plans.”

Coun Chris Cullwick, chair of the planning committee, said he hopes York will see a Roman attraction open in the future at this site or elsewhere.

What the councillors said

Coun Mark Warters warned that the ten storey apartment block risked “turning York into Chicago”, but the developers said the plans for an archaeological dig at the site made it a “once in a lifetime opportunity”.

The scheme would have seen three buildings on Rougier Street demolished to make way for a two-year £2 million archaeological dig.

A Roman visitor attraction and building of 211 apartments and office space would then be built on the site.

The plans had supporters and critics, who spoke at the council meeting.

Former councillor and chair of Indie York Johnny Hayes said: “I’m sure it will become one of York’s most hated buildings. The chances of it getting planning consent without the Roman visitor attraction would, in my view, be nil.”

Lindsay Cowle, a former conservation consultant, said: “The extensive excavation could not be justified.”

And the council’s own conservation architect said it is the biggest building she has seen in a planning application in York.

But Eamonn Keogh, speaking on behalf of the developer, said the building is no taller than neighbouring Malmaison or the Aviva headquarters.

“The importance of this scheme for the city cannot be overstated. The scale of this building is not at all at odds with this part of the city,” he said.

“It will enliven Rougier Street and support other regeneration.”

David Jennings from York Archaeological Trust, which is one of the developers, said the dig was expected to uncover Roman granaries or storehouses used by Roman armies.

He expects the discoveries to give insight into the origins of the city of York.

He said: “We know so little of the Roman city, we do not know the location of a single Roman public building in York. It is a very good place to dig. It’s a once in a generation opportunity.”

Judith McNichol, director of the National Railway Museum, and Laurence Beardmore of York and North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce spoke in support of the plans, saying they will bring visitors and jobs to the city to boost the economy.

The plans for the development were submitted more than a year ago and have been revised twice since then on the advice of the council’s planning team.

A council planning officer said that at one point they were meeting with the developers every few weeks to tweak the plans, which were recommended for approval.

The scheme will not have any affordable housing on site and the developers have offered a £500,000 contribution towards building affordable homes elsewhere in the city. The meeting heard this was equivalent to building about three affordable homes, which Cllr Michael Pavlovic said was a “huge issue” for the project.

Councillors rejected the plans by a majority vote of 11 to three, saying the size of the building is too large and the contribution to affordable housing too meagre.