York Chinese restaurant told sign must be removed

The sign is attached to the Grade I listed building in York's Goodramgate

A sign over a Chinese restaurant in one of York's oldest buildings will have to be removed, as planners say it is harmful to the conservation area.

The large green sign was attached to the Happy Valley Chinese Restaurant on Goodramgate before manager Junyue Tan submitted a planning application.

The Guildhall Planning Panel and York Civic Trust were among those to object as the building is Grade I listed.

City of York Council planner Becky Eades refused the application.

She said the signboard, on a building on Lady Row, which dates back to 1316, was "harmful and detracts from the building's significance, its exceptionally fine architectural and historic character and its setting within the Central Historic Core Conservation Area".

The building on Lady Row, otherwise known as Our Lady's Row, dates back to 1316

Lady Row is believed to be the oldest surviving row of houses in York, and one of the earliest examples in England of medieval jettied houses.

Ms Eades' decision comes after a cafe on the same street was told to change its signage, following a similar objection.

Old York Tea Room had applied for retrospective planning permission for its sign and teapot image, which was painted above the entrance to the cafe.

It is now going through an appeal process after the council ordered its removal.

Mr Tan had told the council that his new branding was more visible and would give the restaurant "better prospects for years", amid high insurance and maintenance costs.

He must now remove the sign for his restaurant or lodge an appeal with the council.

The restaurant has been approached for comment.