Y&NY launches development forum
York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s forum was launched with a who’s-who of the region’s prominent developers in tow, with the aim of unlocking investment and driving growth in York and North Yorkshire.
The inaugural meeting was held at York Biotech Campus and was attended by representatives from:
- Arlington Real Estate and McLaren Property (York Central)
- Caddick (Schneider Electric, Scarborough)
- Citivale (Greenbox Thirsk)
- Cole Waterhouse (Konect 62, Knottingley)
- Eshton Group (Catterick 52)
- Firethorn Trust (Sherburn 42)
- Harworth (Gascoigne Interchange)
- Glentrool (Sherburn 2)
- Lindum Group (Pickering Park)
- Northminster (Northminster Business Park)
- Opus North (Harrogate 47 and Dalton 49, Thirsk)
- Potter Group (Potter Space Ripon)
- Scarborough Group International (Square One, Scarborough)
- Simpson (Various building and restoration projects)
- St Francis Group (Core 62, former Eggborough Power Station)
- Teakwood Partners (Beckwith Knowle and Envirovent, Harrogate)
- William Birch (Various building and restoration projects).
Under the Invest in York and North Yorkshire partnership, the forum also included key partners at North Yorkshire Council and City of York Council.
James Farrar, chief executive of York & North Yorkshire Combined Authority, chaired the meeting and Mayor David Skaith opened discussions with the developers by talking about his growth ambitions for the region.
Sectors that have been singled out as well-established or emerging areas to target include manufacturing, creative and digital, healthy ageing, industrial biotech and agritech, and rail.
After the meeting Sarah Friskney, property development director at Glentrool, said: “The format of the forum and who attended was absolutely first class, which led to a healthy debate.
“As developers, we don’t often get in the same room but it’s clear we are all in the same boat.
“It is all about open communication and getting everyone back around the table, so we can all get aligned and go for growth.”
Chris Davidson, regional director at Harworth Group, said: “Gascoigne Interchange got planning earlier this year, so we need to get on and develop the site as fast as we can.
“The key thing for us now is getting those quick decisions through planning. So, this morning for me was perfect.
“It is the start of our journey to get all our stakeholders around a table so we can make these investments and drive growth.”
Mayor David Skaith commented: “To go for growth, we need to have the developers which facilitate the next generation of businesses at the heart of our approach, so we can keep creating opportunities and more high-quality jobs.
“Public and private sector relationships are essential for our region to reach its full potential, so that is why it is important to build connections, launch the development forum and help drive long-term growth.”
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