Newspaper’s base to be redeveloped

Previous attempts to redevelop the York Press’s headquarters in Walmgate over the past seven years have been deemed unviable. The latest plans, however, have been recommended for approval ahead of a meeting of York Council’s planning committee on Thursday next week.

The newspaper is due to move to a vacant building on the corner of Walmgate and Hirst’s Yard, paving the way to turn existing offices into rooms for 648 students.

Demand for student accommodation has soared, with the £750m expansion of York University along with the growing popularity of York St John University.

While the scheme has attracted support as it will reduce pressure on the private housing sector, formal objections have been lodged by residents concerned about the impact the development will have on the neighbourhood, which already has a high concentration of student accommodation.

The current offices of the York Press, which was founded in 1882, were built in the 1980s.

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