The latest plans to regenerate part of York are a once-in-a-generation opportunity, the head of a local heritage group has said.
York Civic Trust Chief Executive Andrew Morrison said detailed plans lodged in December for York Central would shape the way the city grows for decades to come if approved.
He added the group had worked closely with developers on the plans which include a hotel, park, about 1,000 homes and a new western entrance for York Station.
McLaren Regeneration Director Tom Gilman said the support and guidance from the Civic Trust and others was helping to shape the future of York.
The trust’s announcement that it is throwing its weight behind the proposals come after the latest plans for the project, worth around £2 billion, were lodged in December.
York Central Ltd’s, Network Rail’s and Homes England’s application marks the latest step in the regeneration of the land off Leeman Road, one of the country’s largest brownfield sites.
Coal Drop Square
It follows the opening a replacement stretch of Leeman Road and a new pedestrian and cycling route named Hudson Boulevard in July, paving the way for the latest plans.
The latest reserve matters application includes a 213-bed, 876sqm hotel with retail and leisure units on the ground floor.
It would face onto a new public space dubbed Coal Drops Square and would be next to the new Western Entrance at York Station which would feature a 300-space cycle hub.
A total of 999 homes out of the 2,500 planned across the site would be built across three plots, with a mix of tenures offered.
Plans also include a six-storey Innovation Hub.
A new central park stretching from the back of the National Railway Museum to the western edge of the site is also included in the application.
Seating areas in the park
McLaren Regeneration and Arlington Real Estate are the lead developers working on the scheme.
A decision on the plans is due in the spring and work could start later this year, with the whole of York Central set to be completed by 2035.
York Civic Trust Chief Executive Mr Morrison said they believed designing a scheme coherently which fits in with the rest of the city was important.
The trust’s boss said: “York Central is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the city. It will shape how York grows and how people live, work and travel here for decades to come.
How York Central could look. Image: York Central
“What makes York so special is how streets such as Micklegate, Bishopthorpe Road and Stonegate have their own distinct feel yet fit together as a coherent whole.
“York Central ought to reflect the same principle: individual plots and buildings can have their own identity, while having a recognisable York character that feels part of the city, rather than a single uniform development.”
McLaren Regeneration Managing Director Mr Gilman said they were committed to creating a brand new city quarter that fits in with the rest of York.
The managing director said: “Crucial to this is our continued work with key stakeholders, partners and the community, including York Civic Trust whose support, guidance, and expertise is proving invaluable in helping us shape the future of this historic city and the communities it serves.”