Talks in store amid fears for York city centre retailers

Senior politicians have acknowledged the city is facing a watershed as a host of wide-ranging issues converge to create a melting pot of uncertainty.

Conflicts between city centre trade and out-of-town retail developments have reached a head, while York Council’s decision to withdraw a long-term planning blueprint has raised speculation that there is no clearly defined approach for attracting new enterprise.

Influential figures have now urged York Council to send out a clear directive as to how it will drive forward the city centre economy.

York Civic Trust’s director, Peter Brown, said: “The council needs to recognise that it has to invest hugely in the city centre and make it easier for businesses which are based there, while attracting new business as well.

“The decision to withdraw the Local Development Framework’s (LDF) core strategy in May has thrown up an awful lot of questions for the future.

“We need certainty to ensure the city can develop. Whether it is for developers, the local communities or shopkeepers, we need to know that the council has a plan in place.”

The decision to put the LDF’s core strategy on hold will be discussed at a full council meeting on July 12. York Council’s cabinet member for planning and sustainability, Coun Dave Merrett, confirmed officers are finalising a report which will set out a possible timescale for drawing up a new planning blueprint.

Coun Merrett has already warned that while turnover in the city centre is “holding its own”, it is facing increasing competition from other towns and cities including Leeds, Sheffield and Hull.

He confirmed talks are under way with senior civil servants in the council’s economic development unit to ensure there are plans to drive forward the city’s retail sector.

Coun Merrett added: “We absolutely recognise the need to have a sensible plan in place for underpinning the success of the city centre. Irrespective of the Monks Cross development, the city centre faces many challenges, like all High Streets are.”

The core strategy was withdrawn after the council spent seven years working on the key document following the decision by the authority’s planning committee to approve plans for the Monks Cross development.

A Government planning inspector, David Vickery, also raised concerns over the “potential soundness” of the strategy and whether ambitious housebuilding targets for 800 homes a year will be met.

The Monks Cross scheme will create a 6,000-seat community sports stadium to become the new home of York City Football Club and York City Knights rugby league team. A contentious retail scheme for showpiece retailers including Marks & Spencer and John Lewis, which opponents claim will harm city centre trade, will help finance the stadium with nearly £15m.

But the go-ahead has raised questions over whether the rival Castle Piccadilly shopping development in the city centre will become a reality. Investors behind the plans, LaSalle UK Ventures Fund, are seeking talks with councillors and council officers after the Government confirmed it will not call in the Monks Cross project for a public inquiry.