Plans are in to turn a building in York city centre into a seven-room aparthotel.
The scheme would see the rear ground floor, first floor and roof space of 24 Gillygate converted into the holiday flats, known as Gillygate By The Walls.
St David Aparthotels, a Chester-based business, say this will “see the fabric of the building repaired and refurbished, and the proposed new use of the building will return the currently vacant building into a use that is broadly compatible with the building’s original purpose”.
The plan affects the part of the building that was long home to the audio equipment store Vickers Hi-Fi.
Planning documents state: “Since Vickers moved to modern retail premises in the outskirts of York, No. 24 has been a Meditation Centre, but has become unoccupied since the Covid-19 pandemic and is now vacant.”
That commercial space will be retained. The plans do not affect the pharmacy, which is the adjoining owner’s property and is not part of the proposal.
A first floor flat has been empty for 2½ years.
Under the plans, the inside of the building would be reconfigured to create seven self-contained aparthotel rooms “comprising studios and a duplex, containing kitchenettes and ensuites”.
“The proposals will see the front retail unit converted to an office with the remaining ground floor converted to two aparthotel rooms,” documents state.
“The first floor will be converted from a three bedroom apartment to three aparthotel rooms, and the loft space (currently unused) will provide a further two rooms: creating seven apart/hotel rooms in total.”
A planning statement says: “The proposed accommodation across the three floors will operate as a small, professionally managed aparthotel offering short stays.
“There is no bar, restaurant or public floorspace; however, we will provide a guest laundry room and vending machines.
“Day-to-day activity is a staff-free site, supported by a central office and a 24-hour contact number for emergencies and assistance. Digital access controls will provide secure, time-bound entry for guests.”
Number 24 Gillygate is not listed, but the “rear of the site comprises a small private garden, which backs directly onto the ramparts of York’s historic City Wall”.
There are no car parking spaces on site.
