York Racecourse is set to open a brand new development after a "phenomenal" transformation.

The Southern End development will open during the Sky Bet Ebor Festival, which runs from Wednesday, August 21, to Saturday August 24.

A planning application for the development was submitted in July last year, with work commencing immediately after the last race of 2023.

On arrival, racegoers will see a set of iron gates created by local blacksmith Andrew Brind, dedicated to the memory of Reg Bond, a successful Yorkshire businessman as well as a racehorse owner - and breeder.

The Southern End Development will open on August 21 (Image: Hannah Ali)

The Roberto Pavilion provides a bar, fish & chip shop and both tote and William Hill outlets. 

York Racecourse said it used of 70,000 specially commissioned bricks from local family run business: York Handmade Bricks – named the Ebor Range.

Further to the south, the newly created 900 square metre Churchill Tyres Lawn and Canopy gives space to follow the action on the big screen, or listen to live music.

Flanking the lawn are food outlets, alongside an 'improved' Theakston Bar and Guinness Bar.

The building was made up of the 'Ebor range' bricks (Image: Hannah Ali)

There's also a new block of toilets, and a refurbishment of the ones that existed in the area.

The project has included refurbishing the 1913 Bustardthorpe Stand, an example of the work of Walter Brierley, a well-known York architect.

To stay in keeping with its 'Green Knavesmire 300 commitment', the racecourse has included a range of sustainability features - including a living roof, rainwater harvesting, pollinator flowerbeds and solar panels.

The new canopy offers wet weather shelter while collecting the water down its supporting legs and into a 16,000-litre holding tank. This 'grey water' can then be used to flush the toilets.

The Racecourse says it's their most environmentally friendly development yet (Image: Hannah Ali)

The scheme was overseen by Yorkshire firm Dawson Williamson Architects, with the main contractor being York-based, Lindum.

William Derby, chief executive and clerk of the course, said: "I’m really looking forward to welcoming racegoers to the Sky Bet Ebor Festival to enjoy this improved space. 

"The transformation of this area in just nine months has been phenomenal, it is a tribute to the vision of the York race committee, as well as to the hard work of our amazing design, build and internal teams. 

"We hope it will be enjoyed by generations of racegoers to come. 

The scheme was overseen by Yorkshire firm Dawson Williamson Architects (Image: Hannah Ali)

"I am most proud that we have stayed true to our environmental principles, so I am confident in saying this is the most sustainable development on a racecourse to date, in keeping with our Green Knavesmire 300 commitment. 

"Having battled a very wet winter to deliver the project, the long-term sustainability of our planet was on our minds throughout.

"Racegoers can now look forward to a pint of our special Theakston IPA, while they watch the big screen to see whether they can collect any winnings from either the tote or William Hill, knowing that a fish supper is nearby, in celebration or consolation."