THE SHIPPING container complex planned for Piccadilly looks likely to get the go-ahead, council papers have shown.

Planners have recommended the Spark: York plan for 17- 21 Piccadilly, site of the old Reynards garage, gets temporary permission lasting until July 2020.

The street food and start-up centre planned for the empty site will be built out of old shipping containers, and the people behind it say it will create a new home for entrepreneurs in the city.

Joe Gardham, one of Spark: York directors, said: “Without significant capital we know it’s tough for people to start a business in York. The level of interest shows there is a clear demand for an affordable, relevant and supportive space where new businesses can thrive, not just survive.”

“Our prospective tenants want to be in a favourable trading environment, surrounded by businesses that reflect their own ethics, creativity and customer base. Alongside the physical space, Spark will offer free, hand-on business support and advice – drawing on a bank of local, experienced professionals.”

“Our ambition is to have a lasting economic impact on our city by building resilient, confident organisations who, after the three-year lifespan of the project, are able to secure tenancies in some of the many empty premises across the city centre.”

The plans have attracted criticism as well as support, with some saying the shipping container building would be unsightly in a historic area, and others pointing to a high proportion of Spark: York's floorspace being earmarked for food and drink outlets rather than business space.

Developers of a £25 million hotel planned for a site opposite Spark: York warned they could put their plans on hold, over worries about what the site would do to the wider area. Fears have also been raised about noise levels, and what they could mean to people who live nearby.

Planners, however, say the development would be temporary and any harm caused to the area would be outweighed by the public benefit in bringing vibrancy, and valuable community and business facilities, into an accessible area.

The Spark: York team have already changed their plans by removing the live music and performance area, agreeing to close outdoor areas at 9pm to cut down on disturbance for the neighbours, and moving the food and drink units away from homes.