Hundreds of student flats to replace disused bingo hall

Plans to redevelop a former Mecca Bingo site to form a 275-room purpose-built student accommodation have been approved by York City Council’s Planning Committee.

The proposals for the bingo hall at 68 Fishergate, which closed in March 2020, were considered by committee members earlier today – 3 February.

Councillors were told the existing building would be demolished. The proposed student rooms will be a mix of cluster flats and studios in a four-storey building supported by ground floor communal facilities, 168 cycle spaces and two landscaped courtyard areas.

A planning officer’s report, recommending the application from Olympian Homes should be approved, states: “The bingo hall closed as it was unviable and the operator declined to renew their lease.

“Officer’s advice is the permanent loss of the facility does not outweigh the benefits of the proposed use. There is demonstrable need for the proposed development.

“The scheme is considered an improvement over the existing site in terms of how it respects local character. There would be no undue effect on neighbours’ amenity and adequate amenities for future occupants.”

A planning statement submitted on behalf of the applicant says the proposals represent a “fantastic opportunity” to redevelop this key route into the city.

The statement adds: “The proposals will directly address the need for student accommodation within York and contribute to a greater choice of accommodation for students, a key contributing factor in ensuring York remains attractive to students in the future.

“Students make a large contribution to the economy in York and thereby help to contribute to the vitality and vibrancy of the adjacent city centre.”

Commenting at the planning meeting, a representative for the applicant said the scheme would represent an investment of over £38m into York.

She said the bingo hall had been empty for nearly two years, adding that providing more purpose-built student accommodation would free up residential housing in the city for family use – something which is badly needed in York.

“I understand that in York you have at best a three-year housing supply, as opposed to a Government requirement of five years,” she said.