A series of public workshop sessions next weekend, 25th-26th November, will see the unveiling of the ideas behind the masterplan for redevelopment of the so-called “Castle Gateway” area, including the Foss Basin, St.George’s Field, Castle Mills Bridge / Tower Street and the banks of the Foss upstream as far as Piccadilly. This plan could be crucial for future public enjoyment of our river, and we hope many River Foss Society members will take part in the consultations, either in person or online. Here are the programme details:

My Castle Gateway: Exploring the Masterplan Ideas Launch Event

25th and 26th November, 9.00/9.30am-5.00pmVarious locations. Schedule below.
Drop in.

You walked. You shared what mattered to you. You imagined what you’d do in a future Castle Gateway. You wrote on post it notes and posted on social media.

We are now able to share the Masterplan ideas for the future of the Castle Gateway area. Join us for our launch event. We will be moving around each of the areas of Castle Gateway. In each location we will be sharing the ideas and documenting your responses to feedback into the masterplanning process. Your feedback will inform a preferred Castle Gateway masterplan which will go to the City of York Council Executive in February.

What’s happening on 25th and 26th November?
Throughout the weekend, there will be two strands. You can do both or pick the one that suits you best.

Imagination: You will be guided to explore the masterplan ideas. You will imagine these alternatives and identify which of the proposed changes would most encourage you spend time in the area in the future. In collaboration with Coaching York.

Nuts and Bolts: You will be able to understand the masterplan ideas, identify your priorities and debate how the ideas should be delivered.

Alongside these strands we’ll be joined by community groups and heritage organisations who have got specific knowledge of, and ideas for, the future Castle Gateway. They’ll offer mini-talks, tours and workshops.

Saturday 25th 9am – 11:30am
Tower Gardens and New Walk plus the Ouse riverside
Based at Tower Gardens riverside
In collaboration with the Environment Agency

Saturday 25th 12:00 – 2:30pm
The Foss from the Blue Bridge up to Piccadilly
Based at the Foss riverfront adjacent to Raindale Mill
In collaboration with York Museums Trust, Foss River Society, York Wild Swim, the Environment Agency and York Past and Present

Saturday 25th 3:00 – 5:30pm
St.George’s Fields and its boundaries, plus the gyratory and the Skeldergate bridge junction
Based at the Skeldergate Bridge pedestrian exit

Sunday 26th 9:30 – 12:00
Piccadilly and the Coppergate Centre
Based at Piccadilly outside Spark site

Sunday 26th 12:30 – 5:00pm
The (broadly defined) Eye of York, including Castle car park and Clifford Street
Based on Castle Car Park
In collaboration with Historic England and York Past and Present

Call for Volunteers to help capture people’s feedback
25th and 26th November
We want to make sure we capture everything people say so we are looking for a group of volunteers to help document, record and write up people’s feedback. If you are interested in signing up for a 2 hour slot (or longer!) over that weekend contact Helen on h.graham@leeds.ac.uk

All masterplan ideas to be launched online by end of this week
The City of York Council are currently developing a website where all the masterplan ideas will be set out. As soon as the link is available we will send it out through this mailing list.