Happy New Year from O’Neill Associates
A reflection on what we've accomplished in 2023
Conversion of former Rowntrees Chocolate Factory for 279 flats
Coney Street riverside walkway
National Railway Museum Central Hall
Conversion of Glasshouses Mill for residential use
2023 was another busy and successful year for the Practice. Despite the challenging economic circumstances facing the construction industry, it was encouraging to see works progressing on a number of our major projects.
At the National Railway Museum in York, the appointed contractor GRAHAM has commenced the early package of enabling works for Central Hall development. The new exhibition hall at Locomotion in County Durham is also now nearing completion.
In the residential sector, Henry Boot Construction has handed over the first phase of apartments at the former Cocoa Works factory site on Haxby Road, a scheme by Latimer Development. We also saw the completion of nearly 100 units across 3 separate housing schemes at Atlas House, Back Devonshire Lane, and Glasshouses Mill in Harrogate.
The Practice continues to be heavily involved in the education sector, representing the three higher education institutions in York as well as St Peters School. In March, we submitted the application for a new 5-storey student centre at the University. We also successfully obtained planning permission on behalf of York St John University for its 210-bed student housing scheme at Peppermill Court near Huntington Road.
We continue to act for Helmsley Group to bring forward the transformative Coney Street Riverside project. The mixed-use scheme will revitalise one of the City’s principal shopping streets, restoring its connection to the river through the creation of a new riverside walkway. It includes retail, leisure and commercial development alongside purpose-built student accommodation, as an area of identified housing need. The practice is also currently promoting two other significant PBSA schemes in the City on behalf of national providers.
Whereas we were expecting 2023 to mark the adoption of York’s Local Plan, this particular milestone is likely to be reached this year instead. We were pleased that our representations on behalf of the University of York, Askham Bryan College and St Peters School were agreed with the Council so that land required for future expansion of these institutions was not included in the Green Belt. We will continue to monitor the final stages of the Examination including the Council’s recent consultation on a Community Infrastructure Levy for the City.
2023 also witnessed the arrival of the new North Yorkshire Council combined authority, and we eagerly await the first stage of consultation on its new Plan. The Council expects to launch a ‘Call for Sites’ exercise in 2024, which will provide an opportunity for developers, and land and property owners to promote their interests.
The early part of 2024 is already shaping up to be a busy period for the Practice with major schemes for the 120,000ft2 expansion of facilities at the Pavers Shoes headquarters at Northminster Business Park, a new centre for The Island children’s charity, and a 105-unit affordable housing development on New Lane, Huntington all expected to go before Planning Committee before April. We look forward to reporting a successful outcome on these projects in the coming months.
In the meantime, we wish all our clients and professional colleagues a prosperous and fulfilling 2024. Please do get in touch if we can assist with either your development proposals or promoting your land interests.
Conversion of former Rowntrees Chocolate Factory for 279 flats
Coney Street riverside walkway
National Railway Museum Central Hall
Conversion of Glasshouses Mill for residential use
