Comments on: Progress on Duncombe Barracks site

By: Helen Harrison

Helen Harrison — Tue, 05 Apr 2022 18:00:58 +0000

Hi Lisa, thank you so much for this article. I had missed the further articles you linked to – both fascinating reads, and very useful ammo to counteract the naysayers on social media! Thank you. I’m hoping to maybe live in one of these homes one day…!

By: Louise Ennis

Louise Ennis — Sat, 02 Apr 2022 16:09:51 +0000

I agree with you Lisa that the design and sustainability-led, affordable, multi-generational housing looks just what the city and its residents need. The striking thing about the artistic impressions are the green, communal family spaces but I can’t see any cars or parking. Hoping this is similarly innovative and well thought-through and not an afterthought that ruins the site, and ‘desirable’ Bootham area with even more traffic.

By: Leaping Lamb

Leaping Lamb — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 15:44:04 +0000

Well commented David,I too good memories of both Barrack activity’s ,and football ground,My married Sis lived in Lucas Avenue,Oft times,visited her on Saturdays for fish and chips from nearby shop ,then off down Burton lane ,fort the half time gate opening at football ground,Got to see second half for free.That was in the wartime league ,where only a North and South divisions existed mostly famous footballers ,enlisted,then co- opted to play in major teams Saw ‘em all at Bootham Crescent, happy days(sometimes)!
T

By: David Bower

David Bower — Thu, 31 Mar 2022 11:17:33 +0000

A very interesting site. As a teenager living in St Olaves Road I remember the Barracks of the seventies well. At this period there was a lot of activity there, with army lorries coming and going, along with military personnel. I believe it was at this time a TA base, and on Friday evenings TA soldiers would arrive, and load the back of the lorries with tents and supplies, leaving in convoy on weekend manoeuvres.
As an aside, as a lifelong York City supporter I also remember in the early seventies when York had two seasons in the then second division (now Championship) entertaining teams such as Manchester United, Aston Villa and Norwich, there was much discussion on expansion of York’s Bottham Crescent ground. One plan entailed altering the configuration of the pitch through ninety degrees. The Shipton Street and Grosvenor Road terraces would become the sides of the pitch, and the ground would extend into the Barracks site, with a new stand being built. Alas City’s fortunes slipped, and nothing further came of the plans.
Another little remembered proposal from this period was to build a railway halt immediately North of the nearby railway footbridge, to run alongside the grounds where the Hospital now stands, and Scarborough Terrace to enable away football supporters to reach the ground on matchdays avoiding traffic congestion in the adjacent streets.