Councillors back plan for youth centre on club site

The proposals for the four-storey “myplace” building on the site of the former LA’s club in Ferensway won the thumbs up, with councillor Terry Keal saying it sent out the message: “Come inside and see what’s going on.”

Aimed primarily at 13 to 19-year-olds, the 900-capacity centre, which was designed by Surface architects who are behind the so-called “Legoland” Endike Primary School, will feature a performance venue, workshops, music, film and dance studios, as well as a cafe, “juice bar”, offices and outdoor urban sports spaces.

There will also be “chill out” zones, access to healthy food and drink and support services.

It would also offer support and space to start-up businesses and entrepreneurs as part of efforts to make it eventually self-funding.

Coun Stephen Hull said: “It reminds me of Endike. It has an ideal location next to the Interchange. The design is one that makes you stop and stare – you’ll either love or hate it – I love it.”

The venture is looking for £5m funding from the Big Lottery.

It would be run by the private sector or a voluntary or community group.

A spokeswoman for Building Schools for the Future, which was behind the centre proposals, said: “Although this is great news, we still need to have the funding in place.

“We’re hopeful but appreciate the difficult economic climate.

“We hope that having full planning permission will allow us to take our plans forward.”