PLANS for a floating arts centre in the heart of the region’s tourism capital have been given the go-ahead.

Councillors in York defied a recommendation to turn the scheme down and gave the Arts Barge project the green light instead.

Organisers want to put the barge on a permanent mooring beside Tower Gardens and Skeldergate Bridge but some residents were worried about night-time noise from the 31-metre vessel

However, Jane Gibson, chairwoman of Make It York, said the barge, which would be a place for community performances, yoga classes, film screenings and music until about 11pm, should be welcomed.

She added: “It preserves a traditional working boat on the very river for which it was designed.

“It’s about yoga, acoustic music ,working with people with disabilities and working with residents. You cannot get away from the fact that people love boats.”

Cllr Janet Looker said: “This will bring a really useful and interesting dynamic to an area that begins to tail off in the early evening.”