A COUNCILLOR has blasted a new 'aparthotel' being built in York, which he says is now looming over a terraced street like a liner being built in a shipyard.

Independent Cllr Johnny Hayes has asked how the Roomzzz development, situated in Terry Avenue and at the bottom of Lower Ebor Street in Clementhorpe, ever won planning permission.

He said it looked like an iconic photograph of a shipping liner being built in the past at a shipyard, which dominated a nearby terraced street.

“How did this happen?” he said. “The Roomzzz Apart Hotel just keeps getting bigger and bigger. It is huge.

“It looked bad on paper but looks is even worse in reality. How did this ever get planning permission?

“It totally dominates Lower Ebor Street and looms above all else on the river side. There was an overwhelming majority of local people against it. But it was given planning permission by City of York Council planning committee.”

A resident in Lower Ebor Street echoed his concerns, saying people hadn’t realised just how big the aparthotel would be until it was built and claiming that it was much bigger than it had appeared to be in an earlier artist’s impression.

“I think everyone underestimated how big it would be. It changes the whole fabric of the street,” he said.

The Press reported in November 2016 how the £20 million, 97-apartment hotel development, which would create 20 jobs, had been approved by the committee by 11 votes to three, despite residents’ concerns.

Cllr Denise Craghill said the building would be a “huge overdevelopment” of the riverside walk, but Cllr Ann Reid said it was an industrial site which already had permission for offices.

Robert Walker, speaking on behalf of residents at nearby Dukes Wharf, told of its potential impact on the area.

Mark Walton, COO of Roomzzz Aparthotels, said he was delighted the project to bring Roomzzz to York was underway, adding York was a vibrant destination city and "fitted perfectly into the Roomzzz family".

Tracey Carter, assistant director of regeneration and asset management at City of York Council, said today: “The decision to dispose of the site was made in 2006 and, following the property crash a sale was agreed in 2010.

“Planning application was considered by members on October 27, 2016, following a site visit.

“Members fully debated the application, considered representations received and heard from speakers expressing concerns who attended the committee meeting. Committee members agreed to approve the application.”