This is what will replace York’s Castle Car Park – a five-level multi-storey on St George’s Field

This is the new car park planned for St George’s Field.

With room for 372 cars over five levels, the multi-storey would allow for the permanent closure of the Castle Car Park, enabling the redevelopment of the space around Clifford’s Tower.

And it plans to be future-proof, with 15% of the parking spaces for electric vehicle charging with the ability to increase these as demand grows.

A planning application for the development has just been submitted. A City of York Council spokesperson said:

• The submission of the planning application for St George’s Field is a major milestone in the delivery of the regeneration of the Castle Gateway.

  Once complete, the new car park will allow for the permanent closure of Castle Car Park, to create an expanse of new high quality public space for the city.

  The relocation of the car parking would also remove a significant number of car journeys from inside the inner ring road, helping residents and visitors get around more sustainably in this part of city.
  

Beat the floods

Because access to the car park by both vehicle and foot is at the first floor level it can continue to be in use even when the rivers are in flood.

Having worked with the Environment Agency and Historic England, the council’s plans are designed to have minimal impact on the floodplain and on nearby historic architecture, such as York Crown Court.

The proposed building includes living walls, a feature external staircase, and solar panels.

The new car park would be funded through a new residential development on the site of the now demolished Castle Mills Car Park.

As part of the plans a new public bridge spanning the River Foss would connect Piccadilly and the rear of the Castle Museum, opening up a planned cycle and pedestrian route along the river into town.

Feedback wanted

You can look at the detailed plans on the council’s planning portal here.

And Cllr Nigel Ayre, executive member for finance and performance, is encouraging people to have their say. He said:

• The planning application for St George’s Field Car Park marks a key stage in the Castle Gateway regeneration.

  The Castle Gateway area offers a great opportunity to put family-friendly public spaces, better transport links and places for York businesses at the heart of the city.

  The design of St George’s Field car park is built on extensive public engagement, bringing together the diverse range of opinions on an important part of our city.

  The application is now open for comments, so please take a look and participate in this important process.
  

A planning application for the residential development on the site of the Castle Mills building, providing new riverside apartments for sale, council housing and a pedestrian/cycle bridge across the Foss can be expected later in October.