York Racecourse gets green light for £4m improvement scheme

York racecourse has been given the go-ahead for a £4m redevelopment of the infield area of the track.

Formally known as The Course Enclosure, often referred to as the family or picnic enclosure, the open air space is already being used by over 60,000 visitors each season.

The planning application comprises a scheme that seeks to improve access, enhance and increase the number of toilets and better showcase the Listed Clocktower building, which is the centrepiece of this area.

The proposed creation of pedestrian walkways from the entry level of the area up to the top of the banking means that racegoers with pushchairs or wheelchairs will have easier access to the elevated viewing of the final furlong. A planned new lift will also ease access between the levels.

The existing facilities tend to become damp as they are set into the rear (western) side of the grass bank and are also exposed to the consequences of flooding. Two new toilet blocks can now be built at the northern and southern ends of the bank acting as “bookends”.

In addition, disabled toilets will be present in all refurbished areas. When coupled with a wholesale refit of another toilet block on this side of the course, the total number of female toilets will be approximately doubled.

The Clocktower building will benefit from refurbishment and improved access as part of the proposed scheme. The team at Historic England supported this application.

When the Clocktower was first opened in the late 1920s, the stonework of the wall that sits below it, on the western face, would have been far more visible than it is today; as the addition of a steel canopy in the 1950s shrouded this view. The planning application proposes to remove this steel canopy and so the undercroft area, revealing the original stonework.

The redevelopment also includes provision for the service of food and drinks from a series of kiosks set at the top of the bank. Along with the betting facilities, these will be covered by lightweight canopies similar to the ones already in use on the stands side.

The now approved plan was developed in consultation with the appropriate bodies such as Historic England and the Environment Agency, the local conservation and heritage groups, as well as with the relevant departments at the City of York Council.

The project schedule would see the new facilities opened during the 2018 summer race season. It will be overseen by York-based conservation architects, Purcell.

William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the Course, said: “The Course Enclosure has always been an important part of racing at York and on a sunny day it provides an unrivalled view of the final furlong with the stunning backdrop of the grandstands.

“It is an area of the racecourse which generations of families and racegoers enjoy. This scheme seeks to address the challenges of the facilities which are located on the infield. It will improve both the physical buildings and standard of facilities for our Course Enclosure racegoers.”

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