CITY leaders plan to explore a "new direction" for the Reynard's Garage site in York city-centre, it has announced.

The site, in Piccadilly, had been earmarked for a hotel but that plan has been shelved by City of York Council.

There had been counter-proposals by the bosses of Yorkshire Air Museum to turn it into a 1930s attraction, celebrating its history as an aeroplane factory and the 1930s more generally.

That plan looked to have been rejected but the council is reconsidering its aims for the site, partly in light of recent changes in land ownership in the area. 

A council spokeswoman told The Press today the new approach would aim to "drive regeneration of the southern gateway to the city."

Dafydd Williams, leader of the council, said: “We would like to see this asset redeveloped into a mixed-use site, with a focus on supporting housing and the heritage of the city.

"We’re already working with the administrators and other parties to try to secure a sensitive and viable future in the redevelopment of Castle Piccadilly and its surroundings in the long-term. We see the Reynard’s Garage site as a key driver to this.

“The council was recently selected to join the One Public Estate programme, led by the Cabinet Office and the Government Property Unit, which provides support for local authorities to work jointly with all branches of central government to make the most of all our assets for the creation of jobs and housing.

"We are currently therefore in discussion with other agencies regarding the comprehensive redevelopment of this important southern gateway to the city.”