York Guides

Council to debate options for future of 50-acre site seen as vital for economy

Julie Hemmings (Yorkshire Post)
A former factory may keep its famous name after it is redeveloped in York.

A master plan for the redevelopment of the Terry's factory in Bishopthorpe Road is being prepared, with the proposal to keep the chocolate maker's name – which has a connection with York which goes back two centuries – as a "brand", whatever the land's eventual use.
Science and hi-tech business premises, a top-quality hotel and leisure and conference facilities are all options for the site, which is now on the market.
American food giant Kraft Foods announced in April last year that it would be closing the York factory – with the loss of more than 300 jobs – as it transferred production to other factories in Europe, such as Sweden, Belgium, Poland, and Slovakia.
A phased shutdown has taken place over 18 months and the site is now on the market.
A draft planning brief for the York landmark will be unveiled at a city council meeting next week.
Public consultation on the proposals is expected to get under way in October.
Comments will be incorporated into the brief, which then will act as a framework to guide development.
Bill Woolley, York Council's acting acting director of environment and development services, said there was room for some housing but any development at Terry's would be "employment-led".
"The redevelopment of the site represents a major chance for the York economy and a significant opportunity to forward a number of the city's economic aims," he says in a report to councillors ahead of next Thursday's meeting.
"Equally the site has the potential to build on York's international reputation as a tourism destination.
"The Terry's site has played a key role in providing employment in York.
"This role should continue and aim to meet demand for employment uses that are central to the long-term success of the York economy."
Mr Woolley said the Green Belt and restrictions on developing greenfield sites made Terry's an important resource for employment use.
He described the site – which covers more than 50 acres with good transport links – as "critical" to York's economy.
Nun Ings, the part of the site to the east of Bishopthorpe Road, lies within the Green Belt and any change to the belt boundary is seen as unacceptable.
The historic factory itself is safe from demolition – the five original buildings, which date from the 1920s and include the distinctive clock tower, were given Grade II listed status in March. Keeping the buildings is described as a key objective in any redevelopment.
The draft brief says that any future use and conversion must be appropriate and respect the fabric of the buildings.
Housing on site might include combined live/work units for small businesses and there might also be space for community facilities such as a medical centre, children's day care and open space.
Mr Woolley added that already there was "significant demand", both from local businesses and investors outside York, for business premises because of a current shortage of large high quality sites.