Mecca Bingo in York is set to be replaced with 276 student flats as City of York Council planning officers have recommended the scheme is approved.
Olympian Homes is behind the plans, working with the owners of the Fishergate site Grantside and North Star, following the closure of the bingo club in March.
The site has long been used for entertainment. It was previously home to the Rialto ballroom, cinema and music venue – famous for hosting The Beatles when they came to York.
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A report going to the planning committee this week does raise some concerns about the development’s archaeological impact.
It says: “The proposed foundation design / pile caps will impact upon the remains of the cinema, medieval and potentially earlier pockets of archaeology within the northern half of the site.”
There have also been 46 comments on the application, mostly objecting. York Civic Trust, however, is generally supportive.
Too many student flats
Fishergate Management Company has objected on behalf of the development’s neighbours on Fewster Way.
“The windows on all upper levels of the development will look into the bedrooms and
gardens of the properties on the southern side of Fewster Way,” it says
“In addition, with the proposed usage being student accommodation, experience shows there is the potential for noise disturbance to the residents in this neighbourhood which is not currently experienced.”
Fishergate ward councillor Dave Taylor has also objected to the proposal.
“Firstly, I am concerned that there may be too much student accommodation built in Fishergate Ward,” he writes.
“And this development might not be viable when one considers the existing Reg Vardy site, Poor Claires site, Old Dairy site, all of which are on Lawrence Street, Fairfax House on Heslington Road, Frederick House off Fulford Road currently under development, and the Plumbase site under appeal directly across the main road.”
Council officers are recommending the scheme is approved. Conditions include a full archaeological plan is in place, and that an electric vehicle charing point is installed.
The planning committee meeting is on Thursday. You can read the full report here.