A DEVELOPMENT lying just within York's city walls has seen three competing construction contractors working together on one project.

York-based William Anelay Ltd, founded in 1747, together with Vinci Construction UK Ltd and R N Wooler & Co Ltd, based in Keighley, are all involved in different phases of construction and restoration work in Walmgate.

The project is a £35 million development to construct 648 student flats on the site of what used to be the offices of the York Press newspaper and Volvo car dealership as well as a range of other resources including a new build hotel.

The refurbished Poads building, named after a grain merchant that used to call it home during Victorian times, is now home The Press.

Anelay Site Manager Adam Hickey said: "It works like an orchestra with all parties in constant communication with each other.

"We are all taking charge of different phases of the overall project and close liaison is essential in such a tight working environment.

"A weekly meeting in convened between senior figures from each of the neighbouring projects to review and plan all deliveries, whilst assessing the impact to the local businesses and home owners.

“This is collaborative work in the real sense of the word by three firms that are normally competing against each other."

William Anelay Ltd started on site at the start of February 2014 and completed their phase of works, valued at £780,000, at the end of August.