Plans lodged for solar panels on tea room roof

Plans have been submitted to refurbish the upper floors of Bettys tea rooms in York and install solar panels on the building's roof.

An application from owners Bettys & Taylors Group proposes improvements to staff facilities including changing rooms, lockers and meeting spaces.

Solar panels and tiles which are designed to blend in with the St Helen's Square building's existing roof tiles would also be installed, if the plans were approved by City of York Council.

The application stated the changes would improve the working environment for staff while preserving the building's historic value.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, plans included installing a new shower and heated lockers on the first floor to encourage staff to walk and cycle to work.

Existing changing rooms would also be upgraded, along with the staff canteen and servery areas.

Works are also planned to try and reduce the damage to the building's fabric which could be caused by business operations.

Existing offices would be sound-proofed and a dedicated, separated meeting space would also be created, along with storage improvements.

A quiet space would be expanded and a universal toilet added, with existing and outdated male and female ones also updated.

Plans stated: "The building has stood under the stewardship of Bettys & Taylors for more than 80 years during which period it has been sensitively maintained and adapted to suit the operational needs of the business.

"The proposals are intended to secure the future of the building as Bettys home in York."

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