PLANS have been announced for another new hotel in York's Piccadilly - this time on the former Warehouse site.

Hotel developer and operator Axcel Group Ltd is working up plans to build a 158-room Courtyard by Marriott hotel at the former second hand furniture business and also on the site of buildings next door.

A spokesman said leading designers, Comprehensive Design Architects, were working on proposals that would ensure the retention of the 'iconic' Banana Warehouse facade on the front of the existing building.

"It will be a contemporary design using high quality materials and will range from three to five storeys, replacing the existing run down buildings," he said.

"The design has been amended following initial feedback from the council, including a reduction in the height of the new development and a simplification of the roof scape to ensure it fits on with the local environment."

He said the redevelopment of the site would act as a catalyst for wider regeneration of the area, and fitted in with the council’s Castle Gateway vision for transforming the area.

He said a mixed-use development had been mooted last year for the site by previous owner, Steamrock Capital, before the site was sold.

Oushan Deeljore, director of Axcel Group Ltd, said the scheme would rejuvenate the long-standing vacant site and would also ensure that the heritage of the existing building was retained for future generations to enjoy.

"This represents a major investment into York city centre," he said. "We are very enthusiastic to bring this luxury hotel brand to the city."

The spokesman said that to get the views of local businesses and residents, a public consultation session would be held next Thursday, August 16, at the Holiday Inn, formerly Hotel 53, further down Piccadilly, from 3pm until 7pm.

"The consultation event will allow people the opportunity to see the plans and have any questions answered by members of the development team," he said.

He added that Axcel Management specialised in operating, developing and investing in hotels across the UK, working alongside some of the leading brands in the hotel industry, and it bought Hotel 53 last year and rebranded it as a Holiday Inn.

The hotel is set to be built next to another new hotel being proposed for Piccadilly, a 155-bedroom Hampton by Hilton.

The Press reported in June that plans for the six-storey hotel, next door to the Ryedale building, had been resubmitted to City of York Council.

There is also another hotel - a Travelodge -already operating at the bottom of Piccadilly.