York’s biggest opportunity since the Victorian railway revolution

Development of the railways in Victorian Britain helped radically transform the social and commercial fabric of towns and cities across the country, with York at the heart of this travel revolution writes Tom Gilman of McLaren Regeneration.

The city played a pioneering role in laying down the foundations of the railway network we see today. Now, more than 185 years since the first train left the city, York is home to another transformational socio-economic catalyst, the scale and ambition of which could help shape its future just like the railways did almost two centuries ago.

The York Central project, one of the largest regeneration schemes in the UK, is set to deliver a brand-new city quarter that may well stand alongside the city’s most defining achievements.

Unlocking growth through partnership

This complex brownfield site, which has sat unloved between two trainlines for decades, has been successfully unlocked by the York Central Partnership comprising Network Rail, Homes England, The Railway Museum, and City of York Council, which secured outline consent for the project in 2019.

Fast forward to 2025, and thanks to more than £135m of government investment much of the critical enabling work and road infrastructure has been delivered, meaning York Central’s strategic development partners – McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate – are able to move forward with our vision for what we believe is a once in a lifetime opportunity for York.

Bigger than Kings Cross

Located next to York railway station and covering an area equivalent to approximately 50% of the existing walled city, the sheer scale and ambition of York Central has been likened to Argent’s, albeit smaller, Kings Cross scheme in London, where new jobs, much-needed homes, and a wide range of long-term economic and social benefits have been successfully delivered.

Most notably, York Central will deliver 2,500 new homes, at least 20% of which will be affordable. Alongside housing, the masterplan makes space for around 1m sq ft of high-quality office, retail, and hospitality space. This will not only strengthen York’s economy but also provide opportunities for new businesses to flourish, helping to create up to 6,500 jobs and generating an estimated £1.16bn of additional economic value for the city.

Credit: York Central Ltd

Communities need more than just buildings

Like any successful placemaking endeavour, York Central is not just about new buildings, but about creating a truly new city quarter that feels part of the city’s identity. Plans include extensive green space, a major new public park, and two new public squares that will connect seamlessly with surrounding neighbourhoods and the historic city centre. For local communities, this means more places to walk, play, relax, and meet, with high-quality design and public realm at its core.

Not only this, York Central’s potential to deliver significant socio-economic and sustainable benefits mark it out as one of the most significant developments currently underway in the UK. An embedded commitment to the arts and culture will serve only to enhance this, with the major expansion of the National Railway Museum – the cultural heart of the scheme – already underway.

What next for York Central?

Details of the first phase of York Central will be consulted on shortly, with a reserved matters planning application expected later this year. This phase is set to include a new hotel, a western entrance to York railway station, a landmark public park, commercial development, and up to 1,000 new homes.

This phase will showcase how York Central can deliver at pace while maintaining quality and inclusivity. It is designed to bring life to the site quickly, creating a vibrant gateway into the city that complements York’s heritage while pointing to its future.

Community engagement has been key to the York Central journey so far, with hundreds of local residents and stakeholders already involved through events, workshops, and consultation activities.

From affordable homes and sustainable design to economic growth and new public spaces, York Central promises to transform an underused area of the city into a thriving, inclusive, and forward-looking community. Just as the Victorian railways shaped York’s past, York Central is set to shape its future.

• Tom Gilman is managing director of McLaren Regeneration