Approval recommended for revised Roman Quarter scheme
Revised plans for The Roman Quarter project, in York, have been recommended for approval and will be considered by City of York Council’s planning committee on 8 September.
The mixed-use development in the city centre includes a proposal for a Roman visitor attraction, which would be called EBORACUM.
Also featured in the scheme is an 88-room aparthotel and 153 apartments. And there would be an additional 25,000 sq ft of new Grade A Office space.
The team behind the project says redeveloping Northern House, Rougier House and Society on Rougier Street will be an economic boost for York, delivering over £315m for the local economy over 30 years, along with 625 jobs.
Architect Vincent & Brown has remodelled the plans and the vision is now made-up of two distinct buildings.
Proposals for the scheme include a two-year archaeological dig, which has attracted support from York Civic Trust.
A spokesman for the trust said: “We are particularly excited about the project’s dig which has potential to unearth many secrets about York’s past.
“We are keen to explore further partnership opportunities with York Archaeological Trust to convene a city-wide research framework with partners to look at further collaboration as part of the archaeological dig.”
Andrew Morrison, CEO of York Civic Trust, said: “York residents might be surprised by just how little is known about Roman York, especially in the Colonia the area in and around Bishophill where Roman citizens lived.”
“The research that will form part of the potential Roman Quarter project could act as a perfect stepping-stone to bring the city’s archaeologists together to create a new and ground-breaking research framework that could answer many of the questions that beguile us.”
York Archaeological Trust (YAT) is behind the dig plans. David Jennings, chief executive of YAT, said: “York’s planning committee will soon decide whether to approve this project, which can be a generational step-change in how we understand and benefit from York’s legendary history.
“We believe the opportunities presented for archaeology and history are once-in-a-generation and that the Roman Quarter project will develop further collaborations with city leaders including York Civic Trust.”
A spokesman for North Star, which is working alongside the applicants, added: “We’ve worked very closely with local stakeholders including York Civic Trust on the Roman Quarter plans.
“We are pleased to take on the latest feedback to create a globally unique Roman visitor attraction in a high-quality mixed-use development which can help deliver wider cultural benefits via the dig.”
