A WARM welcome has been given to plans to revitalise a "forgotten corner" of York by creating a new river esplanade entrance to the city's Museum Gardens.

Members of City of York Council's ruling executive also indicated they were in favour of plans by a top development company to remove public toilets on the Dame Judi Dench Walk site.

The Evening Press reported last week how the Pocklington-based Helmsley Group is behind the plans to transform the city's riverside.

A new restaurant could stand on the site of the current public toilets, which would be demolished and moved to a new site - an idea which does not concern council chiefs, providing new toilets are built.

Coun Andrew Waller, deputy council leader and environment chief, said: "Considerable efforts have been made to ensure that they (toilets) are clean and tidy and the vegetation surrounding the block was cleared as part of York Pride.

"However, due to the isolated nature of the building it is prone to vandalism, and they are not open during the winter months. "As part of the overall aim to provide public toilets fit for 21st Century York, I would welcome this opportunity to relocate the public conveniences while there is refurbishment of Lendal Tower.

"This could provide resources for new facilities, or upgrading existing ones to a higher standard."

Coun Waller said he had discussed with council officers the continuing commitment to provide facilities for boat users which would be included in any firm plans from the Helmsley Group.

The executive approved both the principle of closing the Museum Gardens toilets, and the opening of a new entrance to the much-visited tourist attraction.

The firm is already transforming the next-door Lendal Tower into a £1 million luxury heritage home.

A detailed planning application for the site, and the restaurant, will come before council chiefs in the next few months.

Updated: 10:34 Wednesday, April 05, 2006