City of York Council appoint Bob Sydes as heritage renaissance officer (From York Press)

City of York Council appoint Bob Sydes as heritage renaissance officer

7:44am Wednesday 8th September 2010 in

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A NEW man has been given the task of ensuring future developments in York do not harm the city’s history.

City of York Council has made a fresh addition to its Renaissance Team by appointing Bob Sydes as its heritage renaissance officer, with his chief task being to protect the city’s heritage and ancient architecture in the face of major planning projects.

His job, which he takes up after working in archaeological and heritage advisory roles in North Yorkshire, Cambridgeshire and Bath, will be part-funded by English Heritage and is aimed at making sure the vision for the future chimes with York’s past.

As well as leading an appraisal of the city’s central historic core conservation area and seeking views about how it works and whether it could be improved, Mr Sydes will also team up with senior regeneration architect Guy Hanson to provide advice surrounding key schemes.

The Renaissance Team’s mission is to support major developments in line with the city’s 30-year vision and economic masterplan, including moving forward projects such as the University of York’s Heslington East campus expansion, Castle Piccadilly and Hungate.

“We want to ensure future development reflects the great historic wealth and importance of the city and the need to undertake some essential assessment and planning work to guide and inform the future management of York’s historic environment,” said Trevor Mitchell, English Heritage’s regional director for planning and development for Yorkshire and the Humber.

“We are very excited about this opportunity and will be working with the council to unlock the full potential of the city’s heritage and historic environment. Together we will produce a detailed work programme for the new post over the coming months.”

Bill Woolley, the council’s director of city strategy, said: “There are an unprecedented number of major projects under way or in the pipeline in York which will shape the city for generations to come.

“The Renaissance Team will not only help drive forward these developments, but also encourage connectivity between them and be responsible for maintaining the city’s architectural heritage. York is a progressive city, which embraces its past but is also looking to its future.”