Council approves plans to build on 45ha of brownfield land in the city centre

Central square York Central

Plans to build 2,500 homes on a 45ha brownfield site in the centre of York have been sent to the communities secretary James Brokenshire for approval after getting the go-ahead from the city’s council.

The brownfield site is adjacent to the National Railway Museum in the centre of York. As well as the new housing the development will enable the museum to be expanded and create a new entrance to the railway station.

Homes England and Network Rail own the land on which the homes will be built and will act as major developers on the scheme, known as York Central.

The venture is being backed by £37m of external funding from the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund and Leeds City Region Growth Deal.

Assuming Brokenshire gives the project the thumbs-up work will start towards the end of this year, with offices and homes – a fifth of which will be affordable – being built from next year.

Councillor Ian Gillies, leader of York city council, said: “This is a massive boost for York and the whole region.

“It will deliver a range of homes the city needs, including 500 at affordable rates, and the grade A commercial space to attract a new generation of higher value employers to the city.”