Archaeological work could delay key projects – Theatre Royal and Community Stadium face delays

Archaeologists have found remains of significance during the York Theatre Royal refurbishment. It means that  the reopening of the Theatre will be delayed.

The annual pantomime (DickWhittington and his Meerkat!) is being moved to the Railway Museum (click)

Another major dig is taking place at the site of the planned new Community Stadium.

Outline of roman camp revealed

Outline of roman camp revealed

There is likely to be some concern about what impact this work will have on the practical start date for the construction of the stadium.

The project is already 2 years behind schedule.

At Huntington, archaeologists know broadly what they are likely to find. A roman “training” camp was revealed a few years ago – by chance – during a routine aerial survey of the area. Its existence had been unknown when the original stadium was built. While some artifacts may be unearthed it seems unlikely that the dig will overrun its 4 week timetable.

Updates on the work can be found by clicking here

The decision notice on the planning application is not due to issued until July and confirmation of contractors will not be possible until then in any event.

The open day for potential sub contractors will take place on 1st June (see below).

Meet the buyer event

Meet the buyer event

We expect an early statement from the new York Council about the Knights Rugby Team and their re-engagement with the project.

How quickly it becomes clear, whether the promised July 2016 stadium completion date will be met, remains to be seen.

Projects of this scale would normally take at least 18 months to construct, fit out and pass through various accreditation processes.

The Theatre Royal and York’s other historic buildings

The proposal to sell the building that houses the Theatre Royal to the York Conservation Trust has raised some eyebrows in the City. The main issue seems to be the proposed £1 valuation.

York Theatre Royal was built in 1744 on, and among, the site of the medieval St. Leonard’s Hospital. Immediate repairs (roof replacement) are estimated at around £320k with significant further works needed in coming years

Separately £4.1m is being spent on a programme of refurbishment and improvement

The York Citizens Theatre Trust has a 25 year lease on the property at an annual rent of £27,250 with a 2 year rent free period during the refurbishment, It Achieves a significantly higher proportion of earned income (around 75%) and requires below average local authority funding in both the amount and proportion of turnover (around 7-8%). The Council provides a subsidy of around £250,000 a year to the theatre but has said that this will gradually reduce over the years.

Uniquely for a City the size of York, the Theatre Royal faces commercial competition from both the Barbican and the Grand Opera House

walking-guide-cover

The Conservation Trust is a charity and was set up in 1976 as the successor to Morrell’s “Ings Property Company Ltd”. This company had been established by the Liberal supporting family in the 1940’s with the intention of securing York’s historic building heritage. It is run by Directors who are all related to the original family.

Together with the York Civic Trust, it can claim to be the principle reason why we are still able to enjoy a large number of, generally well conserved, old buildings. Another reason is, of course, that most are “Listed” meaning that they cannot be demolished and that any alterations are subject to restrictive conditions.

The York Council has also accepted over the years a responsibility to maintain buildings like the Mansion House and Guildhall. That sense of responsibility has been undermined recently, not least by the Labour group’s decision to spend £9.2 million converting the Guildhall buildings into a “media centre” (currently subject to a policy review “call in”).

The York Guilds – essentially craft based trades organisations – also take responsibility for maintaining three ancient halls in the City, with much of their income derived from private lettings and (high) membership fees.

Finding uses for buildings, which are expensive to maintain and heat, will always be difficult. Currently there are at least three historic buildings with a question mark about their future use. St Anthony’s Hall (soon to be vacated by the Quilters Guild), St Williams College (where the Minster Trustees are seeking uses that could offset large repair bills) and the Guildhall.

The York Conservation Trust has already acquired two former Council owned buildings near to the Theatre (The Assembly Rooms and the De Grey Rooms).

While many York residents may feel, in an ideal world, such assets would remain in public ownership, the actions of the Council over the last 3 years is a reminder that public election does not automatically bestow either wisdom or financial acumen.

On the other hand, the negative side of large parts of the (former) public realm falling into the hands of a Charity – no matter how benign – is that public accountability all but disappears.

Residents of York will be dependant on the Charity Commission and the contestants of the planning system to ensure that the Trust continues to fulfil its founder’s altruistic aspirations.