Green light recommended for hotel at former tax office

Proposals for the construction of a new hotel on the site of a former tax office in York look set to get the go-ahead next week (13 August 2020).Dominvs Group submitted plans to City of York Council at the end of 2019 for Swinson House at 23 Piccadilly.The existing building was constructed in 1938 and was previously occupied by HMRC.Planning permission is sought for the demolition of the existing building and construction of a part-four and part-six storey hotel.A total of 132 bedrooms are proposed, reduced from 146 in the original submission, as well as a ground floor restaurant and bar open to the public.It has been estimated that the proposed hotel would create between 50 and 70 full- and part-time jobs during construction and once in operation.The application will be considered by the council’s Planning Committee at a remote meeting on 13 August and is recommended for approval in a planning officer’s report.It added that that there would be a “very low level of harm to designated heritage assets,which is considered to be outweighed by the public benefits of the scheme”.The project team comprises architect Dexter Moren Associates, planning consultant O’Neill Associates, heritage consultant Woodhall Planning and Conservation, sustainability consultant Martin Design, and communication consultant Royal Pilgrim Communications.The site is adjacent to Ryedale House, which is currently being redeveloped to create new apartments.