Development agreement in place for York Central

Four months after selecting developers for the £2.5bn brownfield project next to the station, Homes England and Network Rail Property have signed terms with McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate.

The proposal is for a large mixed-use development containing 2,500 new homes – at least one in five of them affordable – and 1m sq ft of office, retail and hospitality space.

There will also be improvements to the York Railway Station and National Railway Museum.

Consent was granted in February for the first piece of the 17-acre new park at the heart of the project.

Leon Guyett, director of regeneration partnerships (York) at Homes England, said: “This marks an important step forward for the York Central project, which will have significant impact on the local area. This is a clear example of how Homes England can use its resources and capabilities to bring together public and private sector organisations and make sustainable places possible.”

Robin Dobson, group property director at Network Rail, said: “York Central is a hugely important scheme and given its scale and significance to the region signing the development agreement is a major step forward. Infrastructure is at the centre of York Central’s success – from using our brownfield land to creating a new community delivering investment, jobs, new homes and amazing open space – all that neighbours the rail network.”

Tom Gilman, regional managing director of McLaren Property, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for the city and a milestone moment in the delivery of York Central. We are committed and passionate about providing much needed new homes, best in class commercial space, along with substantial green space, enhanced public realm and amenities, all of which will bring significant economic benefits and local jobs.

“As York is my home city, I am genuinely thrilled to work with our partners, local stakeholders and the community on our vision to bring forward a scheme that will breathe new life and regenerate an unutilised brownfield site, connecting it to the great cathedral city of York.”

Allan Cook, founder of Arlington Real Estate, said: “York Central is recognised as one of the largest city centre regeneration schemes in the UK and will deliver huge benefits, not only for the people of York and its visitors, but for the wider economy. This is a landmark project and completion of the formal Development Agreement is another significant step forwards.

“Creating a brand new city quarter right in the heart of York, with its own entrance to one of the UK’s best connected railway stations, is an amazing opportunity. We look forward delivering a great place worthy of its unique location and heritage.”

The partners said £135m of infrastructure work is already underway: 2km of new roads including bus lanes, segregated footpaths and cycleways, along with two new bridges.

Consultation has started with the public and a planning application is expected later this year.