City's historic Assembly Rooms to be repaired

Restoration work is being planned for one of York's most significant historic buildings to protect it from further deterioration.

York Conservation Trust (YCT), has submitted proposals to carry out repairs to the Grade I-listed Assembly Rooms in Blake Street, including work to its roof and portico.

YCT said the scheme was needed to ensure the building remained watertight and to safeguard its "internationally significant interior".

The building is now occupied by the ASK Italian restaurant.

The Assembly Rooms date back to 1735 and were used for social functions and dances in the Georgian era. The building is the first neo-classical structure outside Italy.

In 2002 the YCT acquired the site.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service the proposals would enable repair works first approved in 2022 to go ahead.

Those plans included improvements to the roof, replacement lanterns and internal works to rooms including the south anteroom and dining areas.

Planning documents state: "These works will help sustain the site's heritage significance by enabling important conservation works to ensure the shell remains watertight and thus protecting its internationally significant interior.

"The proposed works have been carefully considered to ensure there is minimal adverse impact on the heritage asset."

City of York Council is yet to make a decision on the application.

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