Regeneration of historic York site set to create over 450 jobs

Plans for a new regeneration project in the centre of York have been put forward by North Star and York Archaeological Trust.

A planning application has been submitted for The Roman Quarter project, aims to regenerate Rougier Street in the city centre and revive the road’s Roman heritage.

Comprising apartments, retail, office space, leisure space, the project centres around the creation of a Roman visitor attraction, including a two-year archaeological dig in the area.

Under the proposed plans, three buildings on the former Roman road – Northern House, Rougier House and Society Bar – will be replaced with a new building.

THe project is expected to create over 450 jobs as well as generate an additional £252m for the city’s economy over the next 30 years.

David Jennings, CEO of York Archaeological Trust, commented: “Before the Coppergate dig, York was known predominantly as a Roman city, but JORVIK Viking Centre changed that perception, and we’re now better known for our Viking heritage.

“This dig is the most significant single Roman excavation ever undertaken in York, and we have the skills and expertise to explore, preserve and interpret everything we find to add more depth and colour to our understanding of Roman York.

“The potential for discovery is enormous, and it is highly unusual for us to be able to plan a brand new, state-of-the-art visitor attraction to display our finds even as they are coming out of the ground.”

A spokesperson for North Star added: “We firmly believe these plans will massively improve this part of the city centre and act as a catalyst for wider improvements. The aim is to create an iconic building that the city can be proud of.

“If we secure planning for these plans, the economic benefits to the City will be huge, as well as enhancing York’s cultural offer through a unique world class visitor attraction.”

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