Councillor Pete Kilbane, Micklegate ward councillor and Executive Member for Culture on City of York Council, has welcomed an Independent Planning Inspector's decision to uphold the council's refusal of a café conversion at the Victoria Vaults pub and live music venue.
The developer had appealed against the council's block on changing the use of the Victoria Vaults. The Inspector dismissed the appeal, finding they were not persuaded that a café would provide an equivalent replacement community facility or replicate the cultural function of the venue's former use.
The Inspector concluded that the proposal would result in the loss of a community facility under Policy HW1 and a cultural venue under Policy D3 of York's Local Plan. On viability and marketing evidence, the Inspector was not satisfied that the facility could not reasonably be made viable, or that there was no reasonable prospect of its retention given market interest identified.
Pete Kilbane: ‘Great news for all music venues in York’
Councillor Kilbane said the ruling strengthens protection for cultural and community spaces across the city.
"This ruling by the Independent Planning Inspector is great news not just for the future of the Victoria Vaults but for all music venues in York. The Inspector's decision confirms the protection given to cultural and community spaces through our Local Plan.
"Given this confidence it is a great time to invest in our local venues, and we look forward to the Viccy Vaults moving on from its current sorry state and once again playing a key role in York's music scene."
