York Central gets green light for first phase

The first phase of the £2bn York Central regeneration scheme has secured detailed planning approval, clearing the way for construction of more than 1,000 homes and a new commercial district.

City of York Council has approved plans being brought forward by McLaren Regeneration in partnership with Arlington Real Estate for the 110-acre brownfield site.

The first phase will deliver 1,014 homes, with at least 20% designated for social and affordable rent and sale, alongside a 213-bedroom hotel, 99,190 sq ft innovation hub and 67,447 sq ft of retail and leisure space.

Plans also include a new western entrance to York railway station and an adjoining civic square, together with extensive parkland, public realm and a network of pedestrian and cycle routes.

Site investigation works are due to begin shortly, ahead of construction starting next year. The first buildings are expected to complete in early 2029.

John Gatley, chief executive officer of McLaren Property Group, said: “While it’s the culmination of many years hard work by a committed public and private sector partnership, the real work starts now as we have the green light to convert our vision to reality.

“Now, we look forward to starting work on delivering this brand-new city quarter for the people of York, which will not only provide them with much needed homes and jobs, but will also attract new investment and interest to the city and wider region.”

York Central is one of the UK's largest urban regeneration projects and is being developed on former railway land close to the city centre.

More than £135m of government-funded infrastructure has already been delivered to help unlock the site, including a new road network, public realm and pedestrian and cycle connections.

The site has also been designated as both a Mayoral Development Zone and an Enterprise Zone.

The newly approved development will sit alongside elements of York Central that have already progressed through planning, including Museum Square and a 134,000 sq ft Government Property Agency hub capable of accommodating up to 2,600 civil servants.

The National Railway Museum is also undergoing a wider transformation as part of the regeneration, including the creation of a new Central Hall and permanent gallery space.

The development is intended to make use of York Central's location alongside the city's railway station, creating new connections between previously under-used railway land and the wider city.

New public squares, courtyards, footpaths and cycle routes will form part of the first phase, alongside a major new public park.

The project is being delivered through a public-private partnership involving McLaren Regeneration and Arlington Real Estate alongside Network Rail, Homes England, City of York Council and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Allan Cook, founder of Arlington Real Estate, said: “York Central has been designed to breathe a different kind of life into this already vibrant city, and this decision allows us to now move into the delivery phase with start on site expected next summer and completion of the first of the buildings in early 2029.”

The detailed approval represents a significant step for a regeneration site that has been under consideration for decades, with the combination of publicly funded enabling infrastructure and private investment now allowing the first major development phase to move towards construction.