YORK'S Arts Barge has been given the go-ahead by City of York Council's planning committee.

City of York Council officers had suggested planners refuse plans for the barge, which organisers want to put on a permanent mooring beside Tower Gardens and Skeldergate Bridge, but councillors voted in favour at a meeting on Thursday night.

Some local residents said they were worried about night-time noise from the 31-metre Selby Tony vessel, but supporters argued the area was crying out for a vibrant space and it was given the green light.

Concerned resident Sarah Doyle, spoke on behalf of the people living close to the site.

She told the planning meeting: “We are concerned about the proposed location and the use of the bridge as a live music venue and bar in the evening.

“On a permanent basis the noise levels and vibrations from nearby amplified music will be a deterrent to residents.”

Jan Dyl, owner of Dyl’s Cafe Bar, at Skeldergate Bridge, said the permanent mooring of the barge would ruin his customers’ views from the terrace.

He said: “I don’t believe they really understand the operational challenges and practical challenges at that location and the affect it will have on us as a business. It’s a great space but absolutely the wrong location.”

However, Jane Gibson, chairwoman of Make It York, said the barge, which would be a place for community performances, yoga classes, film screenings and music until around 11pm, should be welcomed.

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She added: “It preserves a traditional working boat on the very river for which it was designed.

“It’s about yoga, acoustic music,working with people with disabilities and working with residents. You cannot get away from the fact that people love boats.”

A number of councillors supported the project, saying it would regenerate the area.

Cllr Janet Looker said: “This will bring a really useful and interesting dynamic to an area that begins to tail off in the early evening.”

Cllr Nigel Ayre added: “We are looking to open up this part of the city and it does seem ridiculous to say we want to encourage something in Piccadilly, but discourage things like this.”