Vision for Shipton Street School site

From the archive, first published Thursday 14th Jun 2007.

THESE are the long-awaited plans for the regeneration of the former Shipton Street School, in Clifton, York.

The school has been at the centre of a long-running controversy - and last night local residents finally got a chance to glimpse its future at a special exhibition.

The developers staged the display of detailed plans and illustrations on how they plan to regenerate the school's one-acre site.

Clifton councillor Ken King gave the designs his full support.

He said: "I'm in discussions with the architects and residents' associations, and hopefully there will also be a room for community use and for local councillors and the police to use for drop-in sessions.

"I'm more than pleased with what they are proposing. I think they have taken a very sympathetic view on the building.

"They are taking out all the bits that are a bit of an eyesore.

"I think the residents in that area will be more than pleased with the development."

The site was rocked by controversy after it was earmarked for the relocation of York's Arc Light Centre for the homeless in 2005.

Local residents organised a 2,000-signature protest petition against the proposal, and Arc Light eventually dropped its plans for the site.

The hostel will now be relocated to Union Terrace in York.

City of York Council has sold the old school site, and it is now to be revamped for residential use by the Helmsley-based Advent Developments.

Representatives from both Advent and York-based architect Fining Associates were on hand yesterday to discuss the scheme and answer questions.

Tim Reeve, from Advent Developments, said before the plans were unveiled: "I'm optimistic that we'll gain support from the residents, because we have provided a very high-quality scheme.

"What I'm keen to do is listen to the residents and hopefully there will be some positive comments.

"It is a great shame that this important listed building has been derelict for more than five years, and I know that local residents are keen to see it regenerated."

The developers behind the scheme have promised an "innovative community setting".

It would be made up mainly of town houses, with car parking and open green space.

The exhibition was held at St Luke's Community Hall, in Shipton Street.