Terry’s Clock Tower Keeping Time Once More

16

March, 2023

TERRY’S CLOCK TOWER TICKS AGAIN

After 18 years, Terry’s Clock Tower clock is keeping time once more for the city of York

Thanks to the skills of specialist horologists and some deft detective work the rare mechanism needed to get the distinctive hands moving again has been reconstructed, and, at 12 noon on Wednesday March 15th, the famous clock started working again.

Managing director Georgina Livesey, said: “It was a momentous day and we are very grateful to the team at Smith of Derby for providing the skills to make it happen. The Terry’s clock was once known as the ‘kitchen clock of York’ and part of the City’s heritage and we are very proud to have played our part in seeing it restored.

“Terry’s is synonymous with York and the buildings are now saved and repurposed for generations to come.”

Smith of Derby were commissioned to restore the clock faces and track down original parts to recreate the mechanism in a project that has cost more than £60,000, funded jointly by P J Livesey and Henry Boot Developments who acquired the entire site when the factory closed.

Sales and complex projects manager for Smith of Derby, Martin Butchers, said: “It is hugely satisfying for everyone who has worked on the Terry’s project over the years to complete the job and see this magnificent rare clock keeping time for York once more. I hope Noel Terry would be pleased.”

The restored the original four clock faces etched with the words Terry York which were replaced in a massive operation in 2019.

The space will now become a Terry’s Clock Tower Museum, open on a limited number of days each year with visitors able to see the intricate clock workings and also to learn more about the story of Terry’s of York on boards compiled by local York resident Stan Young.

We will post updates on the Museum opening dates when announced.

This Development is Now Completed.
For Further Information About the Project Click the Button Below.

Why Harry feels right at home in Standish

17

February, 2023

WHY HARRY FEELS AT HOME IN STANDISH

“It’s the perfect property for me, in the perfect spot”

Harry Parker had fallen in love with the Standish Estate way before PJ Livesey started the redevelopment of the 30-acre site.

He explained: “My mum was involved with marketing the site when it closed as a hospital and on many occasions when she had to visit for site meetings I would go with her.

“I was always energised by the atmosphere of the place. The huge trees, the wildlife and the greenness of the site. So, when PJ Livesey began work to convert the heritage buildings and to build the new houses I was obviously interested.”

Harry worked locally for Ecotricity before going into business with his father and he is now head of European sales for a software company.

He said: “I work 100% remotely so that was a factor when looking to buy a property. I had looked at others but really my heart was at Standish and when the properties in Phase2 were released I was thankfully in a position to buy.”

He chose a three-bedroom mews property with a terraced garden and private parking and moved in just before Christmas 2022.

He said: “I feel very fortunate in that I was able to live with my mum for a while and save hard for a deposit.

“The house is perfect for me. It is open plan downstairs with bi-fold doors onto the garden so is very light and bright and I use the large second bedroom as an office. I’ve already noticed how efficient the heating is and how warm it stays which is important when I am home all day.

“Where I used to live was very community focussed and I feel it is already like that at Green Walk. Because of the setting people just go for walks around the development and look at the trees and the wildlife and stop and say hello.

“And if I want to explore further I can walk 100 yards and I am out onto open fields and woodland walks.

“It’s the perfect property for me in the perfect spot and it’s amazing to think I have had a connection with the site for many years and now here I am. It was obviously meant to be!”

York Plans Endorsed by Historic England

27

January, 2023

YORK PLANS ENDORSED By Historic England

We are very pleased to have their public support for our plans for the Retreat

Historic England – the public body tasked with protecting the country’s built heritage – has voiced its support for our plans to transform The Retreat buildings at Heslington Road, in York.

We have worked closely with them since being named preferred developer for the 30-acre site and the detailed plans to convert the buildings to residential are now being considered by York City Council.

PJ Livesey Managing Director, Georgina Lynch, said: “Restoring and converting historic listed buildings is in our DNA and we always work closely with Historic England and value their officer’s input. We are very pleased to have their public support for our plans for the Retreat which we believe provide a sympathetic and sensitive new life for these wonderful buildings and the grounds.”

The Retreat was founded in the 18th century by the Quakers to provide pioneering mental health treatment based around care, purpose and outdoor recreation.

In-house services were ended in 2018 with new mental health provision by The Retreat offered from alternative locations.

Heslington Road Estate site

12

NOVEMBER, 2022

HESLINGTON ROAD ESTATE

Detailed plans have now been submitted

Detailed plans have now been submitted to York City Council for the conversion of the estate’s historic buildings to residential and the protection and enhancement of the grounds and landscape.

The application follows detailed discussions between the preferred developers, the PJ Livesey Group, and Historic England, heritage officers and planning officials together with wide consultations with the general public.

The plans would see the listed buildings converted to create 84 residential properties and there would also be a small number of new build homes, including a new gate house.

The Recreation Hall would be retained and restored as a multi-use space.

Land Director, James Woodmansee, said: “Since being named as preferred developer for this unique asset we have listened closely to the views of

heritage experts, local planners and local people and initial plans have significantly evolved.

“We believe the proposals now submitted will not only preserve the unique character of the estate but also provide York with homes of history and quality.

“The grounds, including a flourishing orchard, would be maintained and the Quaker Burial Ground would be unaffected by the proposals.

“Heslington Road is a very special place which has played a significant role in York’s history and these proposals will respect that with plans for a heritage trail telling the story of The Retreat.”

Detailed plans have now been submitted to York City Council for the conversion of the estate’s historic buildings to residential and the protection and enhancement of the grounds and landscape.

The application follows detailed discussions between the preferred developers, the PJ Livesey Group, and Historic England, heritage officers and planning officials together with wide consultations with the general public.

The plans would see the listed buildings converted to create 84 residential properties and there would also be a small number of new build homes, including a new gate house.

The Recreation Hall would be retained and restored as a multi-use space.

Land Director, James Woodmansee, said: “Since being named as preferred developer for this unique asset we have listened closely to the views of heritage experts, local planners and local people and initial plans have significantly evolved.

“We believe the proposals now submitted will not only preserve the unique character of the estate but also provide York with homes of history and quality.

“The grounds, including a flourishing orchard, would be maintained and the Quaker Burial Ground would be unaffected by the proposals.

“Heslington Road is a very special place which has played a significant role in York’s history and these proposals will respect that with plans for a heritage trail telling the story of The Retreat.”

Carving out History at Tapton Court

07
November, 2022
CARVING OUT HISTORY AT TAPTON COURT

Traditional stone masonry skills are helping to bring Tapton Court back to its glorious best

Stephen Spence and his team from Elite Masonry Contracts have remade intricate balustrades, balcony posts and new gate pillars for the Italianate style villa in the Ranmoor district of the city.

The magnificent property – once said to have hosted King Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales – is being restored and converted to create 14 grand apartments.

Stephen, said: “It is a huge honour to work on a project like this. We are replicating stone work first designed and carved back in 1868 and putting it back together like a giant 3D jigsaw.

“Tapton Court is a magnificent property with wonderful views out over the city and as well as repairing we are repointing every piece of stone in its exterior and creating a new entrance from Shore Road with a rebuilt wall and new gate pillars.”

The stone comes from Witton Fell and is then hand carved in Elite’s workshop before being installed back on site.

Stephen said: “The pieces for the balustrade which frames the terrace are all hand carved by our stonemasons then brought back and installed. The property has some magnificent features like the wide flight of stone steps leading to the front door, the tower with its stained-glass window and a balcony off the first floor which has amazing views.

“It is wonderful to be able to bring a piece of the city’s history back into use.”

And Tapton Court does have an interesting history to tell.

Originally built for steel magnate John Henry Andrew, the property was sold ten years later to Henry Steel, a self-made millionaire and friend of King Edward VII who was said to have visited and stayed at the Villa when he was Prince of Wales.

After making his fortune as a bookmaker Steel purchased a steel manufacturing businesses and after acquiring several more went on to be chairman of United Steel Companies.

Steel died in 1918 and the property was sold two years later to Albert Victor Derry.

Born in Manchester of German descent and christened Albert Kochs, he took his mother’s maiden name during the second world war. Derry was a prolific industrialist, developing a Coke Oven company, a tar company, he made concrete blocks and finally set up an engineering and construction company.

He and his wife Olga lived at Tapton until 1931 when they moved to Bristol.

Albert died not long after and his wife Olga sold the Tapton Court estate to a charitable trust as a nurses’ home with two new wings added in 1936.

It was later bought by the University of Sheffield to provide student accommodation with a new annexe added in the 1980’s. It closed in the early 2000’s and was badly damaged by fire in 2010 before being placed on the Council’s ‘At Risk’ Register.

Steve and his team will also be working on two other listed building on the site, the original stable block and the gate house on Shore Road which will become individual properties. A separate apartment block is also being transformed and there will be three individual new build houses.

Our heritage architect Bill Bayliss said: “Tapton is a very special property, built in a grand style with a magnificent hallway and staircase which will be restored to serve the new apartments.

“The work done by skilled craftsmen, like the stone masons, is an example of the pride we take in bringing buildings like this back into use.

“The new homes we are creating here will have some wonderful original features, tall ceilings, big windows and that true sense of history.

“It is a complicated project but the end results will be magnificent.”

Tapton Court is due to be launched for sale early in 2023.

Plans to be Revealed for Legacy site in York

06

OCTOBER, 2022

PLANS TO BE REVEALED FOR LEGACY SITE IN YORK

After detailed discussions with Historic England, York City Council and stakeholders we can now share detailed proposals for The Heslington Road Estate in York.

Consultation Open Days will be held at the site next week and we look forward to getting people’s feedback and views.

The 13-acre estate was integral to the pioneering work of The Retreat, established in 1796 by Quaker William Tuke, who believed physical and mental health were linked and created a place where the grounds offered recreation facilities to support mental health care.

It was brought to market when in-patient services on the site ceased and new centres of excellence for outpatients established in other locations in addition to Heslington Road.

Redevelopment of the buildings to create a high quality residential scheme is the most appropriate way of securing the long-term future of these significant buildings and the wider site.

PJ Livesey board director, James Woodmansee, said: “Ideas have been developed in consultation with heritage experts and stakeholders over the last 10 months and we are now at a stage where we can share them with neighbours and the wider community.

“We believe this is a unique opportunity to create a really special residential scheme, preserving the legacy of William Tuke, not just with the buildings but with the grounds.

“We are very keen to get feedback on our plans and look forward to hearing people’s views as we move forward with proposals.”

The proposals in brief:

• Conversion of the main hospital complex into 65-75 homes
• Conversion of Garrow Hill House into 6-8 homes
• Conversion of Home Farm into 2-5 homes
• Conversion of Spring Lodge, East Villa and Garrow Hill Coach House into individual homes
• The conversion of the former Recreation Hall to a residents’ Club Room that could also be used by the community
• Construction of 10-20 new build, family homes
• Extensive landscape restoration throughout the site and a dedicated Heritage Trail

A dedicated Heslington Road Estate website can be viewed here: https://heslingtonroadestate.co.uk/

 

The Consultation Open Days will be held within the former Recreation Hall at Heslington Road Estate, York, on:
Wednesday 12th October – 14:30 – 19:30
Thursday 13th October – 14:30 – 19:30

After detailed discussions with Historic England, York City Council and stakeholders we can now share detailed proposals for The Heslington Road Estate in York.

Consultation Open Days will be held at the site next week and we look forward to getting people’s feedback and views.

The 13-acre estate was integral to the pioneering work of The Retreat, established in 1796 by Quaker William Tuke, who believed physical and mental health were linked and created a place where the grounds offered recreation facilities to support mental health care.

It was brought to market when in-patient services on the site ceased and new centres of excellence for outpatients established in other locations in addition to Heslington Road.

Redevelopment of the buildings to create a high quality residential scheme is the most appropriate way of securing the long-term future of these significant buildings and the wider site.

PJ Livesey board director, James Woodmansee, said: “Ideas have been developed in consultation with heritage experts and stakeholders over the last 10 months and we are now at a stage where we can share them with neighbours and the wider community.

“We believe this is a unique opportunity to create a really special residential scheme, preserving the legacy of William Tuke, not just with the buildings but with the grounds.

“We are very keen to get feedback on our plans and look forward to hearing people’s views as we move forward with proposals.”

The proposals in brief:

• Conversion of the main hospital complex into 65-75 homes
• Conversion of Garrow Hill House into 6-8 homes
• Conversion of Home Farm into 2-5 homes
• Conversion of Spring Lodge, East Villa and Garrow Hill Coach House into individual homes
• The conversion of the former Recreation Hall to a residents’ Club Room that could also be used by the community
• Construction of 10-20 new build, family homes
• Extensive landscape restoration throughout the site and a dedicated Heritage Trail

A dedicated Heslington Road Estate website can be viewed here: https://heslingtonroadestate.co.uk/

 

The Consultation Open Days will be held within the former Recreation Hall at Heslington Road Estate, York, on:
Wednesday 12th October – 14:30 – 19:30
Thursday 13th October – 14:30 – 19:30