Plans for almost 1,000 homes and park lodged for the York Central development
Plans for a hotel, Innovation Hub office space, shops and leisure spaces, almost 1,000 homes and a park have been lodged for the York Central development.
The plans also include a new western entrance for York Station featuring a cycle hub and civic space dubbed Coal Drops Square.
Applicants York Central Ltd, Network Rail and Homes England stated the plans were part of efforts to transform one of the UK’s largest brownfield sites.
The submission of the reserve matters application marks the latest step in the ongoing regeneration of the site off Leeman Road behind York Station, in a project worth around £2bn.
A replacement section of Leeman Road and a pedestrian and cycle way called Hudson Boulevard opened at the site in July, paving the way for the latest plans.
The application includes an 876sqm, 213-bedroom hotel with retail and leisure units on its ground floor.
Talks with potential operators for the hotel are ongoing and it would feature rooftop space, a ground floor reception lobby and bar along with a restaurant on its third level.
The hotel would face onto Coal Drops Square and it would be next to the new Western Station Entrance featuring a 300-space cycling hub.
A six-storey Innovation Hub would also face onto the new square, with shops on its ground floor and office space above.
A total of 999 homes offering a mix of tenures would be built across three plots which would also feature shops and leisure spaces.
They form the first tranche of at least 2,500 new homes which are set to be built across the York Central site.
The latest plans also feature a new central park which would stretch from the back of the National Railway Museum to the western edges of the site.
The plans are set to go before councillors for a decision in the spring.
It follows the approval of a six-storey Government Hub in July 2024 which is set to be built in the first phase of the delivery of York Central.
The overall York Central site is set to create up to 6,500 jobs and add £1.1bn to York’s economy.
It is backed by £135 million in Government funding.
Tom Gilman, managing director of McLaren Regeneration, which is one of the lead developers for the scheme, said the plans represented an important milestone.
Mr Gilman said: “At a critical time for the nation’s economy – when the Government is issuing a clarion call to ‘Build, baby, build’- we are moving full steam ahead to deliver essential new homes, work and leisure and establishing a new live, work, play community in one of the biggest milestones in my home city of York’s illustrious history.”
Allan Cook, of Arlington Real Estate which is also leading on the project, said they were committed to delivering an inclusive place which felt like a part of York.
Mr Cook said: “We’re on a mission to create the perfect city quarter for the people of York, we will deliver an exciting and extraordinary new place that everyone can enjoy.”
Leon Guyett, director of regeneration partnerships (York) for Homes England, said the development reflected their commitment to help turn complex brownfield sites into vibrant new communities.
Network Rail business development lead Stephen Hind said York Central was a great example of bringing the public and private sector together to deliver an exceptional new neighbourhood.