A planning committee has been asked to approve Spark:York’s retrospective application for its temporary roof.
But two people have objected to the scheme.
The canvas roof was installed at the venue without planning permission in October. The application says the “stretch tent canopy” will remain in place until the end of April.
Architect Matthew Laverack is one of those objecting. He writes: “The existing container complex is a hideous alien feature that should never have been allowed in the first place.
“The tent like roof covering compounds this dreadful monstrosity and makes the eyesore worse.”
The second objector, Ryan Brown, says Spark:York managers have repeatedly ignored planning rules and appear to believe “they are above the rules and regulations”.
Low visual impact
But council officers have recommended the scheme is approved at a meeting on Thursday (January 24). A report says:
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The canopy structure is fixed fairly tightly to the containers and generally has a low visual impact.
It is most apparent above the main entrance because the fabric overlaps the side of the containers and is in a contrasting colour.
The canopy is required to help continue to attract custom / footfall during the period from September to May.
This will benefit the small and independent traders based at Spark, who are reliant upon customers being enticed into the site due to the inward orientated design and layout.