Green light for £35m York development scheme

A £35m scheme to re-develop the site of the York Press offices has been given the go-ahead.

The regeneration of the two-acre site on Walmgate, York, will provide new offices for The Press, student accommodation and create 200 new construction jobs over the next two years and 20 new permanent jobs when completed.

The development is being carried out by York-based S Harrison Developments – the team behind the Council headquarters – and will create 58 purpose-built student flats and 303 studio apartments, which will be owned and operated by Student Castle.

S Harrison design manager, Chris Hale, said: “The scheme sees an underutilised brownfield site redeveloped to deliver much-needed student accommodation for the city’s growing student population. It will free up family homes in the city for use by York families, in line with the council’s policy.”

Edward Cade, chief executive of Student Castle said: “York is an exciting city and we are delighted to have worked with Harrison to bring forward such an ideal location on which we can provide high quality well-managed student accommodation to benefit the city as a whole. For us this will be a flagship development.”

The scheme, which also includes the redevelopment of the Wards warehouse, creates a new frontage on Walmgate. Student Castle will have its management suite, reception and student common room on the Walmgate frontage.

Work will start in the next few weeks and the whole scheme will be completed in time for the new student intake in September 2015.