York Designer Outlet has withdrawn its expansion plans due to concerns about extra traffic congestion.
The multi-million pound plans, which were submitted back in 2019, proposed an extension for 25 new shops and restaurants and 630 parking spaces.
A relocation of the Park and Ride was also suggested, which included a new terminus and an improved circulation plan.
The development was set to create around 500 retail and construction jobs, plus £3.6 million in additional employment income.
The 2019 proposal plans were met with some negativity from the York BID (Business Improvement District) and York High Street Forum, who believed the expansion would directly affect city centre retail.
Several Coppergate Centre shops also registered their own opposition.
Now the McArthurGlen Designer Outlet has withdrawn its application for the extension.
This was done in favour of a revised application, to solely focus on resolving traffic congestion issues they face at key periods each year.
‘Only expected’
The withdrawal hasn’t come as a surprise to some, Phil Pinder, Chair of York High Street Forum, told YorkMix he’d seen it coming: “I think it was unlikely an extension would ever have been agreed, so I think it’s only expected that this has been withdrawn”.
In order to resolve the current parking and congestion issues, the centre has just submitted a new planning application for a temporary overflow car park, for November and December.
Approximately 340 spaces have been proposed, to help ease traffic congestion and assist in the efficiency of the Park and Ride facility.
The temporary car park, if permitted, would be implemented seasonally for the following three years.
Paul Tyler, Centre Manager for York Designer Outlet, said: “The application for extra retail space and the new Park and Ride has been withdrawn so that we can focus on more immediate solutions to benefit everyone in the next few years, which we feel is the priority.”
“Both the Centre and the Park and Ride are extremely popular and very busy during November and December, and we hope that this temporary car park solution will not only help our customers, but also the Park and Ride users and indeed the wider community.
“This proposed new measure will ensure the Outlet site does not get clogged up with people who cannot park and use unauthorised places instead. We feel this is a common-sense solution to allow the retail and park and ride service to continue to operate successfully.
“We are still committed to a more permanent solution and are in discussions with the Council about helping to facilitate a new dedicated Park and Ride that will help all parties in the longer term.”
The new temporary car park application is the second of its kind within the last year.
The outlet also proposed a similar plan for a 210 space overflow car park last June. This was a seasonal plan, with a change of use of the agricultural field.
The plans were withdrawn in the following November, due to concerns it would add to congestion.
The new proposed parking area will be located to the South of the Outlet, it will comprise stone chipping held within a plastic mesh, and be lit by temporary lighting.