This is how an original section of the terraces at Bootham Crescent will look when the site becomes housing.
Plans are in which show the stepped area where so many York City FC fans once stood will become part of the landscape scheme and memorial garden.
That garden will include part of the centre circle of the old pitch, and the section of reclaimed terracing will incorporate an old Bootham Crescent turnstile.
The proposals have been submitted by Persimmon, the developer constructing 93 homes are on the 4.25 acre site.
These designs follow consultation with York City Supporters’ Trust and Historic England.
“The terrace designs have undergone a number of iterations to achieve a balanced approach to public access; functionality, health and safety and creating an attractive backdrop for residents,” documents state.
“These designs are fully supported by the trust and Historic England.”
The terraces will be home to raised beds of plants.
“The main concept involves adding planters to the terrace, while leave the central area of steps clear, to aid in the visual memory of the stand and to create a walkway for maintenance,” the developers say.
“The planters will contain a mix of species which provide colour year-round and spring/summer flowering species to provide a red and white setting for part of the year.
“A locked reclaimed gate will be positioned one third of the way up the terrace to restrict public access to the upper tiers for safety reasons.
“The retained terraced has been designed to allow the public to access the lower area and to ensure the terrace is an interactive feature, which fans and residents can enjoy all year.
The raised beds “will restrict access to the perimeter of the stand but will provide a colourful back drop to the garden,” the design statement says.
“Access will be provided by a central walkway, reminiscent of the former football ground.”
Text can be added to the terrace. This “could represent famous past players or key milestones in the football club’s history”.
“Seating areas will be provided on the lower steps in the form of timber benches. A set of barriers, reclaimed from the old terrace, will be erected in front of the seating area, which can be redolent of pitch-side arrangement.
“The tunnel at the rear of the terrace can be retained and will be gated to prevent public access , but will allow views through the tunnel. The trust confirms it has retained the original turnstiles, which can be placed inside the tunnel and lit using a sensored solar light.
“Where the steps are exposed and not covered by planters, the upstands create an opportunity for lettering to be added commemorating results in the club’s history, players’ names or milestones in the stadium’s history.
“The precise lettering to be added will be decided by the trust, with input from fans.”
A footpath running across the memorial garden offers a similar opportunity. “Each block paved surface provides an opportunity for engraving, either as a memorial to the club or for fans to purchase a paving block and in turn part of Bootham Crescent.”
A flagpole is also proposed. Bootham Crescent used to have a ‘five-minute flag’, lowered to signal that there were five minutes to go before the end of each match.
The new flagpole was set to fly “a replica of the club flag as a permanent and symbolic reminder of fans’ allegiance to Bootham Crescent”.
“The management and maintenance of the memorial garden, retained terrace, centre circle and flagpole will be the responsibility of the supporters’ trust.
“Once completed, these areas will be transferred to the supporters’ trust, who will become the freehold owner. The trust propose to manage and maintain these parts through donations, volunteers and fund -raising from engraved paving slabs, bricks etc.”
There will also be a £25,000 play and fitness area, including items such as swings, a football table tennis table and outdoor gym equipment.
You can read and comment on the plans here.