THE first stage of the long-awaited redevelopment of Piccadilly in York could finally get underway as plans are revealed for a new £25 million hotel and apartment scheme.

After more than a decade of stalled regeneration plans for the area, which includes the derelict Reynards Garage site and empty Ryedale House offices, a private developer has stepped forward with ambitions to build two new properties to house a hotel and city centre apartments.

York-based Northminster has revealed it is in talks with City of York Council over the scheme, which is earmarked for the site of the former Polar garage, which is now a 64-space NCP car park and Infinity Motorcycles accessory shop.

Northminster, which has a strong association with Piccadilly through related land ownership since the 1970s, plans to knock down the existing property on the river-side site, which covers more than half an acre.

The hotel would be created in conjunction with a major hotel operator, with a deal already agreed and contracts are close to being finalised.

It will be the second development in Piccadilly for the firm, which was also behind the £5 million Piccadilly Lofts apartment scheme, transforming a derelict warehouse and former 1920s car showroom into ten apartments.

Northminster managing director George Burgess said: "We are close to agreeing the final form of the two new buildings but still have a lot of work to do in consultation with York council in order to guide this proposed scheme through the planning process.

"We are keen to continue the regeneration of this important part of York city centre which has a fantastic setting with huge potential but which badly needs bringing up to the standard which residents and visitors to the city have a right to expect."

Northminster says the proposed development will feature newly-created open space, including courtyard gardens with new walkways, overlooking the River Foss and Clifford’s Tower.

This in turn will free up space for the previously proposed pedestrian bridge over the River Foss, linking Piccadilly with what has been dubbed the city's "Southern Gateway".

The council first announced in March 2014 intentions to create a footbridge as part of regeneration ideas for the site, which date back to the turn of the century.

A previous controversial masterplan for the area around Clifford's Tower and Coppergate was rejected by the Government in 2003, after a public inquiry.

LaSalle UK later bought the land and liaised with the council over new plans, but they came to nothing, and LaSalle UK Ventures Property then went into administration in 2014.

Last month the council revealed its officers are working on a new major redevelopment plan for Piccadilly and the Southern Gateway around Clifford’s Tower and St George’s Field.

Councillors have agreed to use grant money to appoint a project manager, to look for a partner to build on the site on the old Reynards garage on Piccadilly, and to start work on the “conceptual framework” for the wider development, which is hoped will guide developers and attract investors.

Northminster says it has been in discussion with the council over its hotel and apartment proposal for the last year.

The scheme is being designed by COG Architecture, Leeds, which has carried out other work for Northminster, including Piccadilly Lofts. Development work is continuing on a formal planning application which is expected to be submitted to the council early in 2016.