AddThis SmartLayers

Regional daily’s offices to be turned into student flats

A regional daily’s offices are set to be turned into student accommodation for nearly 650 students after planners gave the £35m development the go-ahead.

The Press in York is set to move to smaller purpose-built offices on the same site on Walmgate, in York city centre, to allow more than 350 flats and apartments to be built, to accommodate 648 students.

Work on the development is set to begin within weeks and will see some of The Press’ current buildings bulldozed.

The Newsquest title is due to move into the Poads building which forms part of the site, which will be refurbished and extended to create 630 sq m of offices.

The plans by development company S Harrison Developments Ltd were given the backing of York City Council’s planning committee on Thursday.

In a story about the development, David Coates, regional managing director of Newsquest Yorkshire and North East, said: “As York’s local newspaper, we are absolutely committed to maintaining our operation within the city walls and this scheme enables us to keep our journalist, sales and management teams here cost-effectively. We’re tremendously excited by the proposal.”

He also spoke at the planning committee, telling councillors: “This will help us secure our future in the city.”

The site includes a redundant former print works and the project will see The Press’ new offices front onto Walmgate and Hurst’s Yard.

Five councillors objected to the development due to concerns from residents that the seven-storey building which forms part of the student accommodation would block sunlight going into their apartments, but 11 councillors voted in favour.

The project is set to create around 200 new construction jobs and is due to be completed by September 2015.

Chris Hale, design manager of S Harrison Developments, said: “We are pleased that after seven years of discussion about its future The Press offices are at last getting a new lease of life.”