An historic York building is set for refurbishments as part of a national improvement drive.
Plans from the HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) have been lodged for works on the building home to York Magistrates’ Court, in Clifford Street.
It would see the Grade II-listed building’s three existing external boiler flues replaced with two new ones if the plans are approved.
The service’s application stated it would help to ensure the building’s use long-term and allow it to keep on functioning as a contemporary court.
Plans lodged with City of York Council come as part of upgrades being carried out by the Ministry of Justice to its court estate across England and Wales.
The Government announced it was increasing funding for courts maintenance and building from £120 million to £148.5 million in March 2025.
Ministry of Justice officials said at the time the cash would be used for vital repairs in court and tribunal buildings.
Plans for York Magistrates’ Court include the replacement of the external flues due to the building’s main boiler being replaced.
The number of flues would be reduced but they would be slightly higher than existing ones, in line with current regulations.
New flues would be installed at the same part of the roof to the rear of the building.
York Magistrates’ Court was built from 1890 to 1892 in the Gothic revival style.
Ministry of Justice plans stated changes had been kept to a minimum to protect the building’s historic fabric.
Plans stated: “Clifford Street contains the best 19th century civic architecture in the city of York.
“The most majestic of them is the Magistrates’ Court.
“As a functioning modern court, the requirement for efficient and reliable heating systems is critical.
“Court operations will discontinue if the heating system is not functioning properly, causing disruption to the function of the facility.”
HMCTS property director Rupert Morgan said he was proud of the scale of repairs and improvements delivered across its estate nationally so far.
He added there were around 300 projects set to be carried out during 2026/7, ranging from essential maintenance to major new facilities that add capacity to the justice system.
The director said: “Years of underinvestment meant essential repairs were deferred and problems accumulated.
“We’re now working through that list, prioritising the issues that could affect the ability to hold hearings, but it’s likely that the condition of our buildings will remain a challenge for some time.”
Meanwhile, separate plans from the Ministry of Justice for fire safety upgrades to holding cells at York Crown Court were approved by council planning officials earlier this month.
Government plans stated people held in the cells and staff were currently at risk due to the current lack of heat and smoke detectors.
Those plans come as part of Government efforts to improve fire safety in holding cells and custody suites across the country.
