Plans lodged as part of efforts to repair an historic York building deemed internationally significant have been approved.
An application to put up scaffolding at the front of the Assembly Rooms, in Blake Street, have been approved by City of York Council.
York Conservation Trust plans stated important conservation works were set to keep the building watertight and preserve its interior.
Council planning officers stated the temporary harm at the front of the building due to the scaffolding was unavoidable and entirely necessary for the repairs.
The Trust’s plans are set to see scaffolding fixed into filled-in holes in the front of the Grade I-listed building which were previously used for repairs.
Fixing scaffolding to the building was decided on instead of setting up a free-standing structure due to Blake Street being one of the few fully-accessible routes into York city centre.
The installation of the scaffolding will allow repairs first approved in 2022 to take place.
They include works on the building’s roof along with replacing lanterns, plasterwork in the south anteroom, toilets and dining area.
Upcoming repairs would follow those on the inside of the building done in 2017, 2020 and 2024.
Extensive consultation has taken place since to decide how best to move forward with the work.
The latest plans stated the works aimed to better reveal and sustain the site’s special architectural and historical interest.
The application stated: “These works will help sustain the site’s heritage significance by enabling important conservation works to ensure the shell remains watertight and thus protecting its internationally significant interior.
“The proposed works have been carefully considered to ensure there is minimal adverse impact on the heritage asset.”
Council planning officers stated the use of existing holes for the scaffolding would mean there would be no further harm to the historic building.
The Assembly Rooms were built in the 18th Century and the front of the building was remodelled in 1828.
They aimed to provide an entertainment venue for well-to-do visitors increasingly attracted to York in the 1700s in part by the growing popularity of horse races held at the Knavesmire.
Its Palladian ballroom was designed by Richard Boyle, the third Earl of Burlington, the architect behind a number of Georgian mansions and stately homes.
The building now houses York’s Ask Italian restaurant and it also hosts dances put on as part of the city’s yearly Georgian Festival.
The event celebrates the city’s Georgian heritage and is now in its fourth year.
This year’s festival, planned from Thursday, August 6 to Monday, August 10 is set to feature a masquerade ball in the Assembly Rooms.
