York Central redevelopment receives planning approval

The City of York Council has approved planning for the first phase of York Central, a £2bn redevelopment project on a 110-acre brownfield site adjacent to York railway station. The project is a joint venture between McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate.

Phase one includes the construction of 1,014 homes, with at least 20% designated as affordable housing. The development will also feature a 213-bedroom hotel, a seven-storey office building utilizing an innovative largely timber-frame structure, retail and leisure spaces, an innovation hub, and Central Park. The project aims to deliver a total of 2,500 homes and over one million square feet of commercial space, supporting approximately 6,500 jobs.

Infrastructure improvements are already underway, including new roads and pedestrian and cycle routes supported by £135m in government funding. The scheme also includes a new western entrance to York station. Site investigations are expected to begin imminently, with construction slated to start in 2027. The first buildings are projected to be occupied by early 2029, with phase one completion estimated by 2030.