Ambitious plans submitted for 45-acre city site

The York Central Partnership has submitted a planning application for the first phase of infrastructure works to unlock the York Central site and allow development to start.

It follows extensive consultation held in February and March.

The partnership made up of Network Rail, Homes England, City of York Council and supported by the National Railway Museum is developing proposals to regenerate the 45 hectare-site – one of the largest city centre brownfield development sites in the UK.

This planning application will create the necessary access to the site, so it can be unlocked to provide homes, employment opportunities, a new park and other facilities.

Ian Gray, project director for York Central, said: “This planning application marks a major step towards the creation of a new quarter for the city.

“The creation of easy and safe access for pedestrians, cyclists, public transport and cars will ensure the development will unlock a critical economic opportunity and much needed new homes.

“The scale of the infrastructure shows the commitment of the partners and the determination of Government to level up the North by creating 2,500 new homes and up to 6,500 new jobs in the city.”

The first Reserved Matters application proposals include:

• Access routes throughout the site, including 1.85km (1.1 miles) of segregated cycle and pedestrian pathways;
• A bus lane on Cinder Street, and routes for two park and ride services to run through the site;
• A bridge made out of weathering steel – the same material is used on the new Scarborough Bridge foot and cycleway – across the East Coast Mainline;
• A 4m shared pedestrian and cycle bridge added to the Water End bridge;
• New streets and access points, including a Leeman Road link road, change to Leeman Road tunnel and Marble Arch;
• A new rail siding which will be used by the National Railway Museum;
• Mature tree planting along the routes, and new pathways and landscaping through Millennium Green.

Councillor Keith Aspden, leader of City of York Council, said: “York Central has huge potential to deliver benefits for residents across the city and I would like to thank our staff and partners for their efforts in reaching this major milestone, despite the significant impact of Coronavirus on the city.

“Looking forward, there is no doubt that the outbreak of Coronavirus will present serious challenges for York, and that is why the progression of the York Central scheme is now more important than ever, particularly in creating commercial space, well-paid jobs and sustainable communities as part of the city’s economic recovery.

“Making best use of technology, residents and communities will still have the opportunity through the planning process to engage and give us their views on the proposals during these unprecedented times.”

If the planning application receives permission, the partnership plans to appoint a contractor when the restrictions in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are lifted, with the expectation that work will start in early 2021.