Plans to build a new 140-room hotel following the demolition of an empty seven-storey 1960s York office block are set to go before councillors for a decision.
As reported by YorkMix, the plans would see the vacant Northern House building in Rougier Street torn down to make way for a hotel featuring an on-site bar and restaurant if they are approved.
Applicants Evans Dakota Hotels Ltd stated the development would help to meet growing demand for accommodation driven by York’s thriving tourist industry.
But Historic England have objected to the plans, raising concerns about the impact of the new building on nationally significant Roman archaeological remains.
The latest plans come after previously approved ones fell through for a development dubbed the Roman Quarter featuring apartments, offices, an aparthotel and visitor attraction.
Council planning officers have recommended approving the latest plans ahead of them going before the authority’s Planning Committee A on Thursday, September 11.
The development would see the hotel built in line with the industrial, warehouse style of other Dakota sites in places such as Leeds and Manchester, according to the application.
It would feature 80 classic king-sized rooms, 30 classic doubles, eight large kings, four garden kings and six accessible kings along with 12 suites across seven floors.
The hotel’s reception, concierge, bar and grill restaurant would be on the ground floor along with back of house facilities.
Up to 120 jobs could be created as a result of the development, according to the applicant.
Design objections have led to changes including lowering its height by 9m, pulling it back from Rougier Street by 5m and removing Dakota branding from its northern side.
Historic England stated the application should be refused because of the potential harm caused to Roman remains by demolishing the existing building and constructing the hotel.
The public body stated: “The assessment of the archaeological evaluation confirmed the presence of extensive archaeological remains and specifically Roman deposits.
“We have no hesitation in considering these deposits to be nationally important.”
Another objection from the public was lodged against the development, branding the design bland and lacking in artistic merit.
Applicants stated the location was close to York attractions and other hotels such as Malmaison and The Grand, making it ideal for their development.
They added the construction of piles for the building would drill through Roman archaeological deposits, destroying 3.2 per cent of them, causing less than substantial harm according to the plans.
Applicants stated: “The building has been carefully designed which has resulted in an impressive brick building with dark bronze feature panels.
“The proposed use will have a positive social and economic impact on York.”
Plans for the hotel follow the approval of The Roman Quarter in 2022, after councillors turned down a previous version of that scheme the year before.
The development would have included the Eboracum Museum showcasing York’s Roman history.
The Roman Quarter would also have featured 153 apartments, an 88-room aparthotel and offices.
It was approved in October 2022 but the plans fell through and the company behind them, Rougier Street Developments Ltd, was wound up in 2024.
Northern House was refurbished in 2006 and the last tenants left the building in June 2024.