Plans lodged for mixed-use scheme with Roman attraction

A planning application has been lodged for a mixed-use development in York featuring a new Roman visitor attraction.Submitted jointly by York-based North Star and York Archaeological Trust, the Roman Quarter scheme includes apartments, retail, office space, leisure space and the attraction. Three buildings on Rougier Street – Northern House, Rougier House and Society Bar – will be replaced with the iconic new building, which will also use cutting edge sustainable technology and features. The plans also include 290 apartments, retail and leisure space and offices. The former Roman road which runs behind the buildings will be reinstated to connect Tanner Street with Tanner’s Moat.York Archaeological Trust, which developed the JORVIK Viking Centre following the Coppergate dig in the late 1970s and early 1980s, will conduct a two-year dig of the site, prior to building work starting.An economic report submitted as part of the application, has estimated that the project would generate £252m for the York economy over the next 30 years, and create more than 450 jobs. Early predictions for the new attraction suggest it will receive about half a million visitors per year, adding £20m to York’s economy.