Apartment hotel conversion plan for city building

Plans to turn a building on Gillygate in York into an Aparthotel have been submitted

Plans for a new hotel with self-catering visitor accommodation and views of York's historic city walls have been lodged with the council.

If the proposals by St David Aparthotels are approved, 24 Gillygate would be converted into seven self-service flats.

The applicants said the redevelopment would breathe life back into the building and return it to economic use.

A vacant shop at the front of the ground floor of the building would be kept and marketed for commercial use, according to the planning application, a decision on which has yet to be made.

The first floor of the building had previously housed residential flats, but had been empty for about two and a half years, according to a planning statement.

The ground floor was previously occupied by a meditation centre but was currently vacant.

Code of conduct

The plans by St David Aparthotels would see the rear of the ground floor converted to house two studio apartments, along with housekeeping storage space, laundry facilities and vending machines.

The first floor would house two studio apartments and one duplex, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Meanwhile, there would be a further two studio apartments in the second floor roof space.

Each apartment would have its own kitchen and bathroom, and those at the rear of the building would have views of the city walls, according to the proposals.

Guests would be expected to abide by a code of conduct, the planning statement said.

Parties and events would be prohibited and quiet hours would be in place from 22:00 to 08:00.

The hotel would be managed remotely with no staff on site other than housekeeping, but guests would be able to call a 24-hour phone line to report any incidents, the statement added.

The document stated: "There is no bar, restaurant or public floorspace, however, we will provide a guest laundry room and vending machines.

"Day-to-day activity is staff-free, supported by a central office and a 24-hour contact number for emergencies and assistance."

The planning application has not yet been decided by the council.

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