Concerns have been raised a top York restaurant’s expansion will cause ‘serious harm to listed buildings’.
Skosh on Micklegate wants to extend into the empty office unit next door, formerly home to Coles Solicitors.
It first submitted a planning application to City of York Council in November. After the council’s conservation officer Mark Barratt raised objections to the changes proposed to the Grade II listed buildings, Skosh’s architects Vincent & Brown submitted altered plans last month.
But Mr Barratt is still concerned about the impact on numbers 96 and 98 Micklegate.
In an updated response submitted last month, he writes: “We welcome the reduction in the number of proposed high level openings being formed to link the two historically separate buildings.
“However the proposed round window remains incongruous with the architectural
style of the building and taken with the new doorway (the formation of which we feel
is justified), significantly affects the cellular character and separation of the two
properties.”
He goes on: “Forming the lower part of what would be the shop window and the mock entrance door in solid materials rather than clear glass results in a clumsy, poorly proportioned appearance, jarring markedly with the well-proportioned design of the host building, from which it derives much of its special interest in the historic street scene.”
And he adds: “The revised proposals result in serious harm to the character of the listed buildings and the conservation area.”
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Neil Bentinck, chef-owner of Skosh, wants to work with the planners to ensure everyone is happy with the expansion.
He told YorkMix: “We appreciate these things take time and York council are very busy, and understand they have a backlog of applications to get through.
“So we’re fully cooperating with them to find an outcome, which is an exciting new step for the restaurant. And to be honest, with all the difficulties over the past couple of years, I’ve certainly found myself in a better place.
“We’re thrilled to be open trading, and be so consistently busy.
“The progression of the plans with the council don’t have an impact on our ability to do this. This is a huge opportunity to grow the business and to put a new lease of life into another building on Micklegate, which will be hopefully positive for the city of York and the whole community.
“And we’re looking forward to coming to an agreement and moving things forward.”