York is creating a new public space. What now is the Castle Car Park and the green roundabout we call the Eye of York will become a part of York where we can come together. A new place to gather.
In 2019, those who live, work and play in York imagined and debated what this new space will be. All their ideas and discussions have formed the My Castle Gateway Castle and Eye of York Open Brief. We then published the draft Open Brief for another round of discussion and comments, including comments from key orgainisations in the area.
The Open Brief brings the future to life. It evokes all the different things people will be doing. From paddling to protesting and from listening to music to reflecting in peace.
The final verion of the Open Brief was published in May 2020.
Amendment: In April 2026 an amendment to the Open Brief was added related to the 1190 memorial area. You can read the revisions here and an account of the conversations that led to the amendment here. We have kept the original briefing related to 1190 in the Open Brief but have added the new phrasing prefaced with ‘Amendment 2026’.
You can read the Open Brief here [Word] [PDF]. You can also read online by following the links below.
The Open Brief in brief!
How the Open Brief was created and Structure of the Open Brief
Movement
Flexibility of Use
Activity
Heritage
Landscape, Ecology and Trees
Play and playfulness
Castle Car Park
The Eye of York
The Clifford’s Tower Area