New access road set to unlock 72-hectare brownfield site

Work on a new road which will “unlock” a 72-hectare brownfield site in York could commence as early as spring 2019.

York Council have agreed on the route of a new access road to York Central. The proposals include an access road, bridge and spine road which will allow development of the site, from Water End.

A planning application for the access road will now be submitted and design work will begin with a view to start development on site in 2019.

The York Central Partnership has been working with the Millennium Green Trust to minimise the impact on the Millennium Green, the lease for which always included a ‘take back’ option for a small area to the north-west to enable the regeneration of York Central.

Following consultation with local residents, the Trust agreed a package which includes a license to use some land during construction, the landscaping of this land when the access road is finished, the provision of alternative land to replace the area taken back and a payment of £375,000 to the Trust to secure the future of the Trust and fund an ongoing maintenance programme.

Councillor Ian Gillies, leader of City of York Council, said: “This marks another key milestone in unlocking the York Central site and the benefits that come with it for York and the wider region.

“Accessing the site has always been the big difficulty and I’m pleased that we have now been able to develop a solution alongside partners that is right for the city. We now look forward to the next step of submitting a planning application for the access route with the hope to being onsite ready to start in Spring 2019.

“We would like to thank the Trustees of the Millennium Green Trust for all their positive co-operation to reach a constructive agreement.”

Councillor Keith Aspden, executive member for economic development and community engagement, added: “Large steps have been taken towards realising this once in a lifetime opportunity for York, and I would like to thank colleagues in the York Central Partnership.

“We’ve been clear from the start that strong community engagement was essential to make this opportunity work for the whole city.

“The voice of residents is having a major impact, including the positioning of the access road. To continue this positive engagement we’d like people to get involved with the consultation on the outline planning application that is now live.”

A decision on the planning application for the route of the road is expected by January 2019.