York’s Enterprise Zone on the cards with £100m bid

AUTHORITIES in York have applied to the government for £100m to help make York Central the city’s Enterprise Zone, if they are successful.

The City of York Council and the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership have submitted the bid in an attempt to redevelop a brownfield site, which, it is proposed, could create 6,600 jobs for the city.

The jobs created would be high-value office based jobs.

Enterprise Zone status will also support the infrastructure for housing elements of the site, helping to create new homes on brownfield land and protect the greenbelt.

Barry Dodd, York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “City of York plays a key role in driving growth across York, North Yorkshire & East Riding. Accelerating the development York Central, one of the largest city centre brownfield sites in Europe, is key to driving growth in the city and beyond.

“We fully support the potential of the site and encourage Government to back our ambitious plans”

Stephen Hind, Route Enhancement Manager from Network Rail , which supported the bid, said: “It has long been the aspiration of Network Rail, CYC and many local residents and businesses to see this under-utilised space developed to support the vibrant economy and to meet the ever-growing demand for homes in the city of York.

“We firmly believe that designation as an Enterprise Zone will give the boost which is needed to get this development underway.”

 Cllr Chris Steward, Leader of City of York Council, said: “For decades, York Central has been the big opportunity for the city to realise its full potential as a high-value economic hub.

“Enterprise Zone status is pivotal to unlocking this, and as such, as a Council, we are giving our strongest backing to it.”