The first phase of development at York Central, one of the UK’s largest urban regeneration schemes, has received detailed planning approval from the City of York Council.

The approval paves the way for McLaren Regeneration, in partnership with Arlington Real Estate, to deliver more than 1,000 new homes – at least 20% for social and affordable rent and sale – combined with a new commercial district, hotel, and a brand-new western station entrance.

New public squares, an extensive public park and a network of courtyards, cycle ways and footpaths will be created to connect this new quarter to the rest of the city. The York Central site, covering more than 110 acres, is set for a £2.5bn transformation.

Housing secretary, Angela Rayner, said: “York Central is a fantastic opportunity to transform derelict brownfield land into thousands of new homes, jobs, and green spaces, giving more people the chance to live and work in this great city. By unlocking one of the biggest regeneration projects in the country, we’re turning years of talk into action to drive growth in every region, raise living standards and build the homes communities desperately need.”

Recently completed infrastructure works, including a new road network, public realm and pedestrian and cycle routes, allied to York Central’s access to public transport hubs, will ensure the benefits of the new development are felt across North Yorkshire and the wider region. The site’s regional and national importance is also reflected in its designation as both a Mayoral Development Zone and an Enterprise Zone.

Construction will start on site next year following extensive site investigation works, which will begin imminently. In addition to the previously approved Museum Square, and 134,000 sq ft Government Property Agency hub hosting up to 2,600 civil servants, this new approval provides for:

• 1,014 mix tenure homes, including 20% affordable
• A new western entrance at York railway station and accompanying civic square
• A 213-bedroom hotel
• Extensive parkland and public realm
• A 99,190 sq ft innovation hub
• 67,447 sq ft retail and leisure space

The first buildings will be completed and available for occupation by early 2029, with all of phase one estimated to be complete during 2030. When the whole York Central development is complete, it will support 6,500 jobs, deliver at least 2,500 homes and provide over 1,000,000 sq ft of commercial space.

Tom Gilman, managing director of McLaren Regeneration, said: “Today marks a significant milestone in our journey to delivering what will be a truly transformational addition not only to the city of York but also the wider regional economy. From the outset, our vision has been to deliver a place that is both worthy of its historical location but also forward looking, providing the space the city and its people need to continue to thrive long into the future.”

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