Councillors to decide on £35m funding agreement

At a meeting on 21 April the council’s Executive will receive an update on York Central and be asked to agree to a number of recommendations.

These will include entering into a funding agreement with landowning partners to draw down Enterprise Zone funding to enable Homes England and Network Rail to commence construction and further development of the site.

Councillor Keith Aspden, leader of City of York Council said: “The York Central project continues to make significant progress. At each step of this project, we have shown our commitment to making York Central a reality.

“In doing so, we have taken the necessary steps to unlock the site’s enormous potential, including economic growth space, job opportunities and significant new housing, all within the heart of the city.

“We continue to work with partners in the York Central Partnership to deliver on our shared vision– a regeneration which drives inclusive and greener growth across the city.”

Councillor Nigel Ayre, executive member for finance and performance, added: “With contractors on site laying the groundwork for the regeneration of York Central, we are now at its furthest point of development. This is testament to the leadership all partners have taken in driving progress on this crucial site.

“The council has played a pivotal role in establishing the York Central Partnership, securing funding, funding the design team to masterplan and achieve planning consents for a high quality, viable and deliverable scheme, all whilst owning a very small part of the site.

“This report sets out recommendations which look at how we can further accelerate efforts to turn York Central’s potential into reality.”

At the meeting the council’s Executive will be asked to agree:

• To release £35m of Enterprise Zone funding and enter into an Enterprise Zone funding agreement with Homes England to contribute to the infrastructure costs which will enable the delivery of York Central.
• £250,000 to resource inward investment activity to promote York Central and to attract occupiers, to be funded from future Enterprise Zone revenues.
• A £500,000 budget to deliver the Jubilee Terrace to Scarborough Bridge Riverside Path improvement scheme.
• Arrangements and a budget of £2.7m to fund the Technical Assurance work to enable the highways infrastructure to be adopted.
• Disposal of the former Canteen Building on Chancery Rise to Network Rail to facilitate removal of their operational uses from the York Central site.

York Central is being delivered by:

• Homes England
• Network Rail
• National Railway Museum
• City of York Council

Homes England and Network Rail have supported the development of the site through land acquisition and master planning, and they will now oversee the infrastructure projects.