Consent secured for ‘long overdue’ riverside regeneration

Helmsley Group’s Coney Street Riverside masterplan has been given the green light by York councillors.

At a meeting of City of York Council’s planning committee, members said the company’s vision would revitalise a neglected area and described the scheme as a “fantastic use of unused space”.

Councillor Jonny Crawshaw, chair of the planning committee, said it was positive that Helmsley planned to sensitively put listed buildings back into use. “This scheme is long overdue and is a really positive thing for York,” he said.

Members voted in favour of both the masterplan planning application and a separate listed building application.

The Coney Street Masterplan, led by the York-based property specialist, will see the creation of 250,000 sq ft of mixed-use retail, leisure, commercial and residential space.

A riverside walkway will be established alongside green and accessible public realm, both on the waterfront itself and also through the creation and rejuvenation of historic lanes and passageways between Coney Street and the River Ouse.

Situated in York’s Central Conservation Area, the site consists of 19-33 Coney Street and 39 Coney Street to 2 Spurriergate and includes four listed buildings and two buildings of merit. It is also close to a number of other listed buildings and properties of importance.

The planning committee heard from supporters of the scheme, including Flick Williams, a prominent York disability advocate, who described Helmsley’s approach to inclusivity as “a breath of fresh air”.

Andrew Lowson, executive director of York Business Improvement District, also spoke in favour on behalf of the organisation, and said the Coney Street Riverside masterplan was an exciting opportunity to breathe new life into one of York’s most important areas.

Max Reeves, development director at Helmsley Group, said: “We are absolutely thrilled that the planning committee approved both the full application for our Coney Street Riverside masterplan and also the separate listed building application.

“As a business based in York and with more than 40 years of experience delivering impactful development, we have always said that we are committed to this scheme for the long term and that it will bring many positive benefits to the city and wider region.

“We are pleased that these factors were taken into consideration by the planning committee alongside our positive efforts working together with City of York Council, the public and stakeholders to ensure these plans are shaped collaboratively and supported.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to sensitively and sustainably redevelop historic Coney Street into the social heart of York and reconnect it with its riverfront.”

Subject to planning conditions, Helmsley aims to start on site by 2026. A separate planning application for another, smaller area of the site is expected to be approved within weeks.

The masterplan will now be formally approved, subject to the Secretary of State not calling in parts of the application relating to listed buildings.