Another hotel planned for York – this one would be opposite Spark

These pix show the latest hotel that could be built in the city.

With 143-bedrooms plus a six-storey apartment block it would certainly change the look of Piccadilly.

Under the proposals, the Infinity Motorcycles shop and car park opposite Spark:York would be demolished and a Hampton By Hilton hotel would be built.

But some concerns have been raised about the impact the building could have on views from Clifford’s Tower.

Foss view

A report prepared for members of the planning committee includes reservations by Historic England, which said:

• We consider this block needs to be given a broader treatment so as to keep it as a distinct visual entity which avoids merging into a ‘wall’ of development with other adjacent proposed blocks, when viewed from Clifford’s Tower and the Eye of York.

Plans for another hotel – a £20 million Marriott on the site of the Banana Warehouse a few doors down – were also revealed in November.

But the planning application has since been withdrawn.

Neighbouring eight-storey Ryedale House is also being converted into a luxury apartment block.

The report says the hotel plans have been altered in response to concerns about the height of the building and proposals for a rooftop terrace have been scrapped.

The apartments would overlook the River Foss and the Eye of York.

Riverside path scrapped

Planning officers rejected Historic England’s concerns, writing: “The view and relationship between Clifford’s Tower and St Denys Church has been retained by the revised designs of the proposed development and whilst altered from what exists at present is not materially harmed.

“The concerns of Historic England in this respect have been taken into account, however it is considered that the proposed apartment building would not harm the setting of listed buildings or character and appearance of the conservation area.”

The report says regenerating Piccadilly is one of the council’s long-term goals and the new hotel would bring more tourists to York, as well as providing more homes in the city centre.

York Civic Trust raised concerns about the impact of the building on plans to for a pedestrian and cycle bridge across the River Foss as part of the Castle Gateway scheme.

But planning documents say building a bridge would still be “technically feasible” although a riverside footpath alongside the building would not be possible.

The report adds: “In any event [it] would be prevented by other developments further along the river. Evolving proposals for the Castle Gateway area envisage the footpath cycleway along the opposite bank.”

The assistant director will be asked to make a decision on the application.