North Yorkshire Development Update | Summary & photos
Place Yorkshire’s inaugural North Yorkshire Development Update was sponsored by Scarborough Group and York Central. Speakers explored the powerhouse of a project that is York Central, the complexities and balance required on historic conservation schemes, and the developments and infrastructure driving the broader North Yorkshire region.
The York Central development featured prominently, highlighting its scale, mixed-use ambition, and integration with the city’s historic fabric. Panelists emphasised the importance of public engagement, sustainable design, and innovative infrastructure, including the low-carbon Innovation Hub, new civic spaces, and transport improvements. Partnerships between Homes England, local authorities, and private developers were seen as key to delivering transformative urban regeneration while respecting the city’s heritage.
The second panel discussion explored the challenges of conserving historic York, balancing heritage preservation with economic growth and modern urban needs. Projects such as Coney Street Riverside and the Retreat highlighted the complexity of retrofitting historic buildings, the importance of social and architectural significance, what happens when conservation butts heads with sustainability, and the role of community consultation in shaping outcomes.
Beyond York, North Yorkshire’s development priorities were examined, including housing, employment, infrastructure, and innovation in sectors like agri-tech. Panelists emphasised regional collaboration, strategic planning, and investment in connectivity to support economic growth while addressing rural isolation and local community needs.
Expert speakers
- Karen Stafeckis, development director, McLaren Regeneration
- Helen Marriage, director, Artichoke | non-executive director, York Central
- Andy Kerr, director of economy, York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority
- Jason Syrett, partner, Allies & Morrison
- Leon Guyett, director of regeneration partnerships (York), Homes England
- Allan Cook, founder, Arlington Real Estate
- Nick Baker, director, Corstorphine & Wright Architects
- Damien Woolliscroft, associate architect, Buttress
- Alexia Swift-Cookson, director, head of asset management, The Helmsley Group
- Richard Lawrence, head of design, P J Livesey
- Ben Murphy, head of city development, City of York Council
- Adam Varley, development director, Scarborough Group International
- Helen Jackson, head of regeneration, North Yorkshire Council
- Adam Sellers, senior sponsor, Transpennine Route Upgrade
Place, people, planet, prosperity, partnership
- York Central development
The York Central project is a major regeneration initiative, comparable in scale to York’s historic walled city. Approved for outline planning in 2019, it will deliver up to 1m sq ft of commercial space, around 2,500 homes, two civic spaces, and a new Central Park. Phase one includes Coal Drops Square, an Innovation Hub, a hotel, and the Western station entrance. - Public engagement and community integration
Extensive consultation involved hundreds of residents, 25,000 leaflets, and workshops with local organisations. The project emphasises community integration, creating a vibrant mixed-use quarter that connects with the existing city and celebrates York’s heritage. - Design and sustainability
Residential areas feature active frontages and streets designed to encourage community interaction. The Innovation Hub will use low-carbon timber construction, and innovative solutions like underground waste systems are planned to improve streetscapes. Balancing sustainability with heritage and economic growth is central to the design approach. - Partnerships and economic impact:
Collaboration between Homes England, local authorities, and private partners is key to delivering the project. New transport links, the Innovation Hub, and the National Railway Museum are expected to boost footfall, economic activity, and innovation in the region. - Historic York conservation
Challenges include integrating modern architecture with heritage assets, lengthy planning processes, and balancing economic development with preservation. Key projects like Coney Street Riverside and the Retreat required careful consideration of social, architectural, and public access factors. - Heritage and sustainability balance
Reusing and retrofitting historic buildings is essential, but rising energy costs and sustainability goals create additional complexity. Panelists emphasised the importance of high-quality contextual design, pragmatic decision-making, and specialist expertise. - Public engagement in heritage projects
Successful heritage conservation relies on community consultation and active engagement to ensure projects reflect local priorities, social value, and historical significance. - North Yorkshire regional development
Beyond York, North Yorkshire faces challenges like rural isolation, deprivation, and high housing targets. Regional collaboration via the Combined Authority supports economic growth, infrastructure development, and strategic planning for housing and employment. - Major projects and infrastructure
Scarborough’s North Bay leisure and tourism project, Harrogate’s mixed-use developments, and Selby’s employment opportunities illustrate regional priorities. Upgrades to rail, including the TransPennine route electrification, will enhance connectivity, reliability, and investment potential. - Smaller settlements and community planning
Developing smaller towns requires careful infrastructure planning, engagement with residents, and balancing growth with local needs to attract talent and investment. - Funding, viability, and delivery
Of course viability got a mention – council support, business advisors, early stakeholder engagement, and long-term planning are critical to ensuring viability and successful project delivery. - Innovation and sector development
The council supports innovation in sectors like food, farming, and agri-tech, nurturing startups while attracting investment in larger businesses to strengthen the regional economy. - Key opportunities
Strategic development in towns like Malton and Norton, supported by estates and trusts, emphasises the role of transport, infrastructure, and long-term planning in enabling growth across York and North Yorkshire.
“It is, in the end, about people. It’s about what you can offer in terms of places to live, places to work, places to play. How do we make that real through the designs that we do, through the infrastructure and cultural infrastructure that we embed? That was always at the heart of our bid.” Helen Marriage, York Central
Gallery
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Upcoming events
14 May | East Yorkshire Development Update | Hull
7 July | West Yorkshire Development Update | Leeds
10 September | South Yorkshire Development Update | Sheffield
