COUNCIL chiefs are once again considering plans to demolish a York city-centre fountain and meeting point.

A proposal to remove the fountain in Parliament Street and the old toilet block on St Sampson Square will be looked at by the City of York Council’s executive member for transport and planning at a meeting next month.

Make it York, the city’s destination management organisation, sparked an outcry in 2015 when it suggested the fountain should be demolished. A petition was launched, calling for the structure to be kept, and the council said the future of the fountain might be decided as part of a wider review of the city centre.

Cllr Janet Looker welcomed plans to consider replacing the fountain with a new meeting point.

The Labour councillor said: “When the toilet block on Parliament Street was removed the water was all cut off, so you couldn’t reinstate the fountain without digging up the whole of Parliament Street.

“A fountain without water is ridiculous. It can’t operate anymore as a fountain. People would like it back but we can’t get it back. People say it is a point where they can meet, but rather than having a dry fountain, why not make it a new meeting point.

“Having a dry, empty fountain doesn’t look very good. I think it would be better to have a consultation on an alternative meeting point. One idea could be to have a flower bed and seating area, it would give a bit of focus and you would have the market straight ahead. I understand why the fountain has to go because there’s no water but we do need to create a focal point.”

A council spokesman said: “The fountain is now beyond repair, while the toilet block is no longer used. This executive member decision session report will consider future options, including their removal. We will also consider what might replace such a recognised landmark in the city centre.”