The area around a major York landmark is set to be transformed next year as council officials have given an update on the regeneration project.
The Castle and Eye of York scheme will start once a contractor is appointed and works on a neighbouring car park are done, City of York Council city development lead Garry Taylor said.
The director added specific details including dates and timescales for the project would be shared once a contractor is appointed to start the works.
The council has said in a social media post the transformation was taking place in a part of the city which holds an important and incredible history.
It comes after the council initially planned to close the almost-300 space Castle Car Park for the works this spring following approval for the almost £10 million project in December.
A council Facebook post on Thursday, June 25 said: “The Castle Car Park and its surroundings will be transforming next year into a new public space.”
It added the My Castle Gateway team were holding tours of the York Castle site on Saturday, July 4 as part of public engagement for the project.
Council Director of City Development Mr Taylor said the chosen contractor’s first task would be to make £200,000-worth of improvements to Coppergate Multi-Storey Car Park.
Improvements floated by officials, including opening the site 24 hours a day, are planned to make up for the loss of Castle Car Park.
There is still set to be 30 Blue Badge bays at the Castle site following the rest of the car park’s closure.
Mr Taylor said: “We are making progress in our efforts to transform the Castle Gateway area.
“Once a contractor is in place we will be able to provide more specific dates as to the project timeline.
“We have been clear that Castle Car Park will not be closed until works at the Coppergate Multi-Store Car Park are completed.
“As we have done throughout this project we will continue to keep residents, businesses and stakeholders updated as we work to bring a new, high-quality public space to the city centre.”
The regeneration scheme is set to feature an area dubbed The Castle Gardens including The Swathe seasonal planting space representing the moat which was once at York Castle.
Castle Car Park will also be grassed over and trees planted and water and power supplies installed so community events can be held.
The historic entrance to the York Castle complex is set to be marked by Castlegate Garden and a radial walkway is planned around the base of Clifford’s Tower.
A memorial to up to 150 Jews who died at Clifford’s Tower in a massacre in 1190 is also planned.
Saturday’s York Castle tour is set to take place at 10am. People can sign up here.
