Plan to extend Monks Cross Shopping Centre (From York Press)

Plan to extend Monks Cross Shopping Centre

10:41am Saturday 26th December 2009

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DEVELOPERS are planning to build an extension to Monks Cross Shopping Centre in a multi-million-pound project that could create dozens of jobs for York.

They want to expand the centre at its western side, just off the Jockey Lane/Monks Cross Drive roundabout, to make space for Carphone Warehouse and a mystery furniture chain.

As well as the new shop of about 1,160 square metres, they also plan to install a mezzanine floor in an existing building, and add a new food and drink area, between Debenhams and Starbucks.

But the move would lead to a loss of some parking spaces and the children’s play area, which has sparked opposition.

Planning consultancy Indigo, which is representing Monks Cross management, said officials were in advanced talks with the two potential clients and said there were no other suitable sites in York. Management at the shopping park have been in talks with City of York Council over the project for 18 months.

A spokeswoman said the development would have an annual turnover of about £4.3 million and would create 70 full and part-time jobs, as well as construction work.

A statement supporting a planning application said the proposals would provide a “modern, high-quality development” that would enhance the overall area.

Huntington Parish Council has objected to the plans though, saying they would exacerbate existing traffic and parking problems at the centre, and the city council’s own city development team has also raised some concerns.

Their officer Rebecca Harrison said the limited use of the playpark may be due to its design, location and lack of maintenance, and said the developers should provide a new one as part of their plans. She also said restrictions should be imposed, to prevent the new shop being broken up into multiple units and to ensure only food and drink were sold from the smaller outlets, but did not formally object to the plans.

The Environment Agency has objected, however, saying the developers have not presented an adequate flood risk assessment, while the council’s landscape architect Esther Priestley has raised concerns over the loss of trees around the edge of the shopping park. The application is due to be decided upon by the city council next month.

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