Developers revealed for massive regeneration project

McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate have been selected as the strategic developer for one of the UK’s largest city centre regeneration schemes

Homes England and Network Rail have chosen these businesses as the preferred developer for their major brownfield scheme – York Central.

York Central is being brought forward by a partnership between Homes England, Network Rail, the City of York Council and the National Railway Museum.

It has the potential to significantly boost the economy by creating up to 6,500 jobs and delivering over £1.1bn worth of Gross Value Added to the economy of York per annum.

£135m worth of infrastructure works are underway to enable this regional scheme to progress. These include over 3km of new roads, footpaths, cycleways and also include two new bridges over the East Coast Main Line.

Peter Denton, chief executive at Homes England, said: “This is a major milestone in the important regeneration of York Central.

“Over the last few years, Homes England and Network Rail have worked closely with City of York Council to create a vision and masterplan, and have invested in the critical infrastructure to make this a reality.

“It will now be delivered at pace through our chosen development partner for long term delivery and stewardship.”

Robin Dobson, group property director at Network Rail, said: “This is a strategic step forward in the regeneration of over 110 acres of underused railway land to deliver significant investment and social value for the city and region.

“York Central puts infrastructure at the heart of a new residential, commercial, and cultural neighbourhood.

“The project demonstrates the pivotal role Network Rail Property can play in unlocking sites which deliver growth, jobs and housing.”

Tom Gilman, regional managing director of McLaren Property, said: “As a local of York, it is a privilege to be chosen as custodians of this hugely significant regeneration project, to build on the great work done by Homes England and Network Rail and deliver a scheme focused on People Place Planet Partnership and Prosperity.”

Allan Cook, founder of Arlington Real Estate, added: “Having spent the last 15 years focussing on the delivery of large scale mixed use development schemes in the North of England we have witnessed first-hand the positive benefits, to both communities and the local economy, of large scale regeneration.

“We are happy to have been given the opportunity, alongside our partners McLaren Property, to be able to write the next chapter in the story of this great historic city.”

York Central is a 45 hectare site, which will deliver up to 2,500 homes – 20% of which will be affordable – and create up to one million sq ft of commercial space for offices, retail and leisure.

A network of public squares linking to surrounding neighbourhoods in the city centre will be delivered, as well as improvements to York Railway Station and an expanded and enhanced National Railway Museum.

JLL acted for Homes England and Network Rail in the developer procurement process.

Henry Burton, head of development – North at JLL, said: “JLL’s national development team supported Homes England and Network Rail to navigate a complex procurement process and deliver an ambitious best in class development partner who aligned with the landowners vision.

“York Central is one of a select number of projects across the UK which can be deemed to be truly transformational regeneration at scale. In the coming decade, it will bring sustainable growth to York’s economy.”

CBRE advised McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate.