An area that’s known for “vagrants, drug use and assaults” in York city centre would be made more secure under new proposals.
Merlin Entertainments, owners of the York Dungeon on Clifford Street, is applying to put in security measures to the rear of the building.
The fire escapes for both the Dungeon and the nightclub that uses the same property feed into the yard at the back.
Area location
Now a planning application has been lodged with City of York Council to install a security mesh screen and doors to this yard.
A document states: “The landlord and adjacent owners have collaborated with the tenants in order to procure further safety measures to the rear fire exit yard to protect the buildings, guests and people in general by addressing a security risk.
“The rear yard can be accessed from Cumberland Street by vehicle or foot and from Lower Friargate by foot only.
“The sheltered nature of the yard which is generally hidden from view and little used has become a location for vagrants, drug use and assaults (which have been reported to the police) over a long period.
“Equally the vagrancy use may result in the blocking of crucial fire exists or the accumulation of debris and a fire risk.”
The proposal is for a 3m-high mesh security screen with an “anti-climb mesh” fixed to existing steel posts.
This would “enhance visitor safety to the attraction and remove a potentially anti-social hot spot from the city centre”.
It would be fitted with gates. “A mag lock fire alarm release will be provided to the York Dungeon escape gates and push bar release to the others.”
The building, 12 Clifford Street, is Grade II listed. “The proposals have the benefit of reducing the risk to the listed building by removing access and the risk of fire from unauthorised use,” a planning statement says.
It concludes: “The proposals we feel represent a sensible and measured approach to resolving a security and safety issue whilst enhancing the overall safety for visitors and passers by and providing considered approach to the listed building and conservation areas requirements.”
You can read and comment on the planning application here.