Revealed: Plans to transform College Green into York Minster’s pocket park

Plans have been unveiled showing how College Green will look after being turned into a pocket park.

The major makeover of the Minster Yard area of Goodramgate is aimed at creating “a multifunctional and accessible open green space for all, encouraging users to spend more time there year round”.

It will be landscaped, and new seating and stepping stones added. Key parts of the plan include:

• the removal and replacement of several trees “that make it feel dark and crowded”
• retaining the open lawn area to allow pop-up events
• adding wildlife-friendly plants
• installing a variety of “high quality seating and resting opportunities that cater for all ages and ability needs”.

Since the pandemic, the York BID (Business Improvement District) has worked with the Minster Dean and Chapter to run a pop-up food and drink area on College Green.

This has allowed people to enjoy meals and drinks from city centre businesses in the open air even when Covid restrictions applied.

The BID has commissioned these plans for a permanent upgrade to the area, with the Minster’s support.

This new vision for College Green is intended to support local businesses as well as regenerate the area.

Hand-carved stone

At the heart of the design is a stone walkway in the centre of the lawn, with seating and decorated with the Minster crest.

It would be made with hand-carved Tadcaster magnesium limestone, as would a stepping stone feature. The hexagon-shaped stones would vary in height.

“New planting will provide seasonal interest and colour and will provide a more wildlife friendly environment, with flowering and berry baring species,” say planning documents.

“Existing trees along the path to be removed due to age. Proposals aim to replace existing trees with 10 new trees that run along either side of the access path.”

A double avenue of white blossoming cherry trees would “create a light and bright soft edge to College Green”.

“Existing open lawn along the frontage with College Street ensure postcard views of the Minster remain open and a flexible open space for events and activity is, such as the pop up York BID events that have proved popular over the past two years, is retained.”

The listed sundial would also stay.

PWP Design and Unconventional Design were commissioned by York BID and Bloom to develop these designs. Read more about the proposals here.