A CONTROVERSIAL street food complex to be housed in shipping containers has been granted planning permission.

Councillors in York gave the green light for the street food and start-up centre, in Piccadilly, which will create a new home for entrepreneurs in the city.

The plans attracted criticism as well as support, with some saying the shipping container building would be unsightly in a historic area, while one objector living nearby said noise from an outside seating area would have an impact on his family as it is adjacent to his balcony and living room.

Sam Leach, one of three Spark:York directors along with Joe Gardham and Tom McKenzie, said: “It’s been a long process and we haven’t been paid for this, so have had to make a lot of sacrifices to get it to this stage, but it has been worthwhile.

“We are all from York and want to make a difference to this city, and have a shared belief that whatever we do will be re-invested back into the site.”