Heritage objections to city centre hotel plan

The hotel would replace the empty Northern House

Plans to build a new 140-room hotel following the demolition of an empty seven-storey 1960s office block are set to go before councillors for a decision.

The proposal would see the vacant Northern House building on Rougier Street in York torn down to make way for a hotel featuring an on-site bar and restaurant.

Applicants Evans Dakota Hotels Ltd stated the development would help to meet growing demand for accommodation driven by York's tourism industry.

Historic England have objected to the plans, raising concerns about the impact of the new building on nationally significant Roman archaeological remains.

Previously approved plans for apartments, offices, an aparthotel and Roman-themed visitor attraction on the site were abandoned.

That scheme was approved in October 2022 but the plans fell through and the company behind them, Rougier Street Developments Ltd, was wound up in 2024.

Northern House was refurbished in 2006 and the last tenants left the building in June 2024, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Council planning officers have recommended approving the latest plans ahead of them going to the city council's planning committee on 11 September.

The development would see the hotel built in line with the industrial, warehouse style of other Dakota sites in places such as Leeds and Manchester, according to the application.

It would feature 80 classic king-sized rooms, 30 classic doubles, eight large kings, four garden kings and six accessible kings along with 12 suites across seven floors.

The hotel's reception, concierge, bar and grill restaurant would be on the ground floor along with back of house facilities.

Up to 120 jobs could be created as a result of the development, according to the applicant.

The hotel would have a similar appearance to the chain's other hotels in Leeds and Manchester

Historic England stated that the application should be refused because of the potential harm caused to Roman remains by demolishing the existing building and constructing the hotel.

"The assessment of the archaeological evaluation confirmed the presence of extensive archaeological remains and specifically Roman deposits," it said.

"We have no hesitation in considering these deposits to be nationally important."

The applicants stated the location was close to York attractions and other hotels such as Malmaison and The Grand, making it ideal for their development.

They added the construction of piles for the building would drill through Roman archaeological deposits, destroying 3.2% of them, causing less than substantial harm according to the plans.

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