Hull council drops ice arena and adds 'urban woodland' to redevelopment

A new ice rink was originally planned as part of the Albion Square redevelopment

Plans for a new ice arena as part of a city redevelopment have been dropped in favour of an "urban woodland".

Delayed plans for Albion Square in Hull also include solar panels, residential and office space, and bike hubs.

Hull City Council funded £1m of urgent repairs to the 1980s Kingston Street ice arena, ahead of the £130m Albion Square development.

But critics say the council has done a "screeching U-turn" in scrapping plans for a new ice rink.

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In 2017, initial proposals for Albion Square were announced but redevelopment was delayed when Alan Boyson's Three Ships mural was Grade II listed in 2019, and again by the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

Hull Ice Arena is due to reopen following refurbishment on 30 October

"The proposal no longer includes an ice arena," said the council, which runs the existing facility.

"[We will instead] explore other areas of the city centre for a new arena."

But the council said the Three Ships Mural would still form a key component of the Albion Square plans.

Mike Ross, Liberal Democrat opposition leader, said the council had "dismally failed" residents, and demanded to know how much had been spent.

The Three Ships mosaic on Hull's old BHS building was created in 1963 with almost a million pieces of Italian glass

"They promised a new ice arena and they've made a screeching U-turn," he said.

"With dither and delay, leaving residents in limbo, the council have serious questions to answer."

Council leader Darren Hale said the new plans would be "transformational" and the urban woodland would be an "oasis" for everyone.

He said there was also still "huge demand" for premium city centre residential property like the Fruit Market at the marina and the new proposals showed the council was committed to "sustainable and responsible projects".

The ice arena is also a concert venue with nearly 4,000 capacity, which has hosted artists including the Arctic Monkeys, Oasis, Robbie Williams and Ed Sheeran