A 16TH century York pub will be dwarfed and dominated by a planned hotel, objectors have claimed.

As reported previously, Vastint Hospitality is seeking permission to build an L-shaped building, with a “rising terrace” design over three, four and five storeys behind the Black Swan pub in Peasholme Green.

Architects CSP have said it will help to reinvigorate the Hungate area if the 120-bedroom Moxy Hotel goes ahead.

But a series of members of the public have lodged objections at City of York Council, many of them deeply concerned about the visual impact on the pub.

Alasdair McIntosh said: “No consideration has been given to contrasting the building with the beautiful old pub in front, or setting up any type of architectural relationship with it other than dominating it.”

Jan Finch said the hotel looked like a ‘motorway motel,’ located between Hiscox’s architecturally designed office building and the historically important Black Swan.

Lyn Cowles said it would overshadow the Black Swan and Graeme Thomas, of the residents’ association, said it would dwarf the pub, leaving it with a ‘poorly designed and inappropriate backdrop.”

Dr Arthur Walker said: “Given that the stepped design of the proposed building is meant to reduce the domination of the Black Swan I cannot see any justification for allowing a structure significantly higher than the Hiscox Building.”

York Press:

Alastair Dent said he felt the height and proximity of the building to the Black Swan, “one of York’s most historic and significant buildings,” made it inappropriate.

However, Hiscox, whose building is situated next door to the hotel site, and which sold the land to Vastint, has given the scheme its backing.

Spokesman Peter Brown said five storeys was acceptable and appropriate for the site.

“It should be borne in mind that development at the rear already has six storeys in places, and planning permission has been granted for the rest of the site, for up to seven stories,” he said.

He claimed the architect for the Moxy had ‘achieved a solution ‘which respected the nature of the adjoining buildings, with a simple glass frontage set back from the rear of the Black Swan.