Latest news on Castle and Eye of York
In November 2023, the council’s new Executive reconfirmed the re-purposing of the Castle Car Park to support the delivery of a revised Castle Gateway Masterplan and to reflect the more inclusive ambitions of the new Council Plan. The review focuses on the retention of blue badge parking, flexible green space including play provision and reducing capital and management costs.
The scheme will now be brought forward in phases due to the funding available, focusing on the Castle Car Park and the boardwalk in the first phase. However, the original planning application, which was submitted in February 2022, will be revised so that a comprehensive scheme is developed for the whole area, which can then be implemented when funding becomes available.
An engagement to test revised concept designs in summer 2024 is now live.
Engagement to test revised concept designs
We're sharing revised ideas for new public space in one of York’s most historic and important areas – and want to hear from residents and businesses.
Updated concept designs from landscape architects BDP imagine how the Castle and Eye of York area could meet residents’ ambitions for the public space to replace Castle Car Park, as well as how it can become greener and more accessible.
The ideas include:
- more planting and green spaces
- informal play elements
- improved pedestrian facilities
- retained blue badge parking
- connections to the river with a riverside path and boardwalk to the rear of the Castle Museum which would link to the proposed new pedestrian and cycle bridge over the River Foss
For more information, read our latest blog on the revised concept designs and read some frequently asked questions online.
How to get involved
Sign up to join the public My Castle Gateway engagement events to hear more about the concept designs you can attend an on-site tour on Saturday 7 September at 9.30am, 11.00am, 12.30pm and 2.00pm. Or on Monday 9 September there will be an online event from 7.30pm to 8.30pm.
Attend Guildhall Ward Committee Thursday 12 September, 5.30pm to 7.00pm, Quaker Meeting House, Friargate York YO1 9RL (no ticket required).
Alternatively, residents can provide feedback by commenting on the My Castle Gateway blog or social media pages X/Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, or by email: regeneration@york.gov.uk.
The engagement period will run from 15 August to 20 September 2024.
Next steps:
- September 2024 - public engagement to test concept designs, and consultants to review costs of concept designs
- Autumn 2024 – use feedback from engagement to agree a preferred option which will be worked up into a detailed design
- February 2025 - submit revisions to the existing planning application
- Spring 2025 - report full business case to the council’s Executive prior to commencing delivery. Castle Car Park will only close when a revised business case and planning application has been approved for delivery