‘Quality’ plan for the Bonding Warehouse (From York Press)

‘Quality’ plan for the Bonding Warehouse

9:38am Tuesday 3rd July 2007 in

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TEN luxury 500,000 flats and a stylish new restaurant are part of the multi-million pound plans of a landmark York building's new owner.

Property developer William Legard, 63, who bought the Bonding Warehouse in a £1.151 million sale at the end of last month, has revealed to The Press his vision for the derelict riverside building.

The former farmer and estate agent, of Lowthorpe, near Driffield, said he intended to spend 3 million converting the Grade II listed building.

Mr Legard, who is the brother of Sir Charles Legard, owner of Scampston Hall, near Malton, said: "The top two floors will be turned into between eight and ten luxury apartments and I would be looking for at least half-a-million pounds for each.

"They will be very large and roomy and they'll all have fabulous river views. I would be offering probably the most expensive and highest quality apartments in York.

"On the ground floor, I'm open to the market. There's 5,500 square feet available and I would consider either commercial use or something like a restaurant.

"I would favour a reasonably quiet user because I have to consider the residents living in the upper floor apartments."

But before the father-of-two can begin any building work, he will need full planning permission from the council.

He said: "My initial plans are to save the building because its fabric condition is appalling and if it was to go through another winter, or floods, then we would lose it.

"I'm going to replace the roof and tank the ground floor to prevent water getting into the building and I'm also hoping to put in a footbridge, which would provide access to the building even when the river floods.

Mr Legard, a church organist and member of the Yorkshire Historic Churches Trust, told The Press he hoped the conversion work would be completed within two years.

He said: "It will be wrapped in scaffolding for nearly a year, but when it comes out you will see a transformed building, with clean brickwork, a new roof and all the windows done up.

"Essentially it will look exactly the same, but it will have a nice glisten about it, rather than the look of a derelict building.

"I intend to have a big party and reception to invite everyone to have a look and I hope people will be living here within two years."