THE future of York’s Parliament Street fountain may finally be decided as part of a wider review of the city centre environment and facilities planned for later this year.

City of York Council says it has no plans to make a decision on the fountain in isolation; instead a report is due to go to the executive in November, outlining a review of the ‘public realm’ which looks likely to include the fountain.

News of the review comes four years after the fountain was switched off and more than a year after The Press revealed that the city’s new destination management organisation, Make it York, was planning to demolish it, sparking controversy.

Make it York said it should go to create a more attractive open space which could be used by festivals.

But the story prompted a wave of comments online from readers, many of whom opposed the loss of a traditional meeting place.

York Press:

Hundreds signed a petition saying it should be kept. and city centre councillors called for a public consultation to be held before the fountain was removed. Make it York then said no final decision had been taken.

Managing director Steve Brown admitted this January that the organisation was “probably a bit young and naive when we first approached” the idea of demolishing the fountain.

But he said it was Make it York’s view that a redundant fountain was not helping what it was trying to do in Parliament Street, giving it a better space and flexibility to arrange what we’re trying to organise.

“A second alternative is to have a really fantastic fountain or piece of art in that space,” he added.

The council’s learning and culture committee discussed the fountain in January but no decision was made.

Mr Brown said this week that the decision around the future of the fountain rested with the council, and ‘what’s important going forward is that progress is made on this.’ He said: “Whether the fountain is removed, repaired or replaced, we’re keen to ensure that it doesn’t remain in its current state of disrepair.

“We’ve made our view clear that our preferred option would be to see this space freed up to better facilitate events and festivals. However, we will fully support the decision that is made.”