Media centre

Thursday 7 Dec 2023

Developer announced for York Central

Region & Route:

Eastern

McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate have been selected as the strategic developer for one of the UK’s largest city centre regeneration schemes.

Network Rail and Homes England have selected McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate as the preferred developer for their major brownfield scheme, York Central.

York Central is being brought forward by a partnership between Network Rail, Homes England, the City of York Council and the National Railway Museum. The scheme has the potential to significantly boost the local economy by creating up to 6,500 jobs and delivering over £1.1 billion of Gross Value Added to the economy of York per annum.

There are already £135m of infrastructure works underway to enable this major regional scheme to progress. These include over 3km of new roads, footpaths, cycleways and also include two new bridges over the East Coast Main Line.

The appointment of McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate as a development partner is the latest milestone in delivering York Central, which will see a key piece of York city centre brought to life by transforming underutilised railway land into vibrant and distinctive residential neighbourhoods, cultural spaces, high quality public realm and a high-quality commercial quarter.

McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate partnership have significant experience in delivering major mixed use regeneration schemes and neighbourhoods including Durhamgate, Newton Aycliffe and Upper Brook Street, Manchester.

Peter Denton, Chief Executive at Homes England said:

“This is a major milestone in the important regeneration of York Central. Over the last few years, Homes England and Network Rail have worked closely with City of York Council to create a vision and masterplan, and have invested in the critical infrastructure to make this a reality. It will now be delivered at pace through our chosen development partner for long term delivery and stewardship”.

Robin Dobson, Group Property Director at Network Rail said:

“This is a strategic step forward in the regeneration of over 110 acres of underused railway land to deliver significant investment and social value for the City and region. York Central puts infrastructure at the heart of a new residential, commercial, and cultural neighbourhood. The project demonstrates the pivotal role Network Rail Property can play in unlocking sites which deliver growth, jobs and housing.” 

John Gatley, chief executive of McLaren Property, said:

“We are proud to have been selected to deliver York Central – the most significant regeneration scheme in the north of England. McLaren have deep roots in Yorkshire, and we are committed to working with local stakeholders to enhance the great city of York.”

Allan Cook, founder of Arlington Real Estate, said:

“Having spent the last 15 years focussing on the delivery of large scale mixed use development schemes in the North of England we have witnessed firsthand the positive benefits, to both communities and the local economy, of large scale regeneration. We are delighted to have been given the opportunity, alongside our partners McLaren Property, to be able to write the next chapter in the story of this great historic city.”

York Central is a 45-acre site, that will deliver up to 2,500 homes, 20% of which will be affordable and create up to 1 million sq ft of commercial space for offices, retail and leisure. A network of vibrant public squares linking to surrounding neighbourhoods in the city centre will be delivered, as well as improvements to York Railway Station and an expanded and enhanced National Railway Museum. 

For the latest information on York Central, visit www.yorkcentral.info.

ENDS

Media contacts:

Network Rail catrin.sharp@networkrail.co.uk

Homes England media@homesengland.gov.uk

McLaren Property giles.barrie@fticonsulting.com, naomi.galt@fticonsulting.com

Arlington Real Estate Jamie.Collis@recognitionpr.co.uk

Images and picture captions:

Attachment: York Central CGI of potential former Coal Drops.jpg. Picture caption - CGI of potential former Coal Drops looking onto the York Railway Western Station entrance, forming part of the phase one proposals (Image Credit: The Collective)

Attachment: York Central Aerial CGI.jpg. Picture caption - Aerial image of the York Central Development

Attachment: YC_Team Photo External.JPG: (L-R) Henry Burton, Head of Development North, JLL; Robin Dobson, Group Property Director, Network Rail; Paul Middleton, Project Manager, McLaren Property; Anastasija Clayton, Senior Development manager, Homes England; Neil Ferris, Corporate Director of Place, City of York Council ; Tom Gilman, Regional Managing Director of McLaren Property; Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council; Peter Denton, Chief Executive, Homes England; Leon Guyett, Director of Regeneration Partnerships York, Homes England; Dean Cook, Managing Director, Arlington Real Estate; Stephen Hind, Head of Business Development, Network Rail; Cllr Peter Kilbane: Deputy Leader of the Council and Executive Member for Economy and Transport; Robyn Dodsworth, Vision 2025 Director, National Railway Museum; Alan Cook, Founder, Arlington Real Estate; Mike Goulding, Regional Director - Central Region, Homes England

Additional quotes:

Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council said:

“Our Council Plan, 'One City for all' contains a clear commitment to realising the economic opportunity provided by devolution, York Central and the bioeconomy. Today’s announcement is hugely significant step in delivering that promise for the people of York and beyond and I want to thank everyone who has helped make this happen. The huge investment as part of this deal is a show of faith in our city, the people in it and what the York Central project can deliver.

“York Central is a once in a generation opportunity, providing much needed sustainable and affordable housing, good quality jobs, economic growth and green space. We are looking forward to working with the new developer and continuing our efforts with the wider York Central Partnership to deliver on our shared ambitions for York Central, namely a place which everyone in the city can enjoy and benefit from for generations to come.”

Robyn Dodsworth, Vision 2025 Director at National Railway Museum said:

“The National Railway Museum will form the cultural heart of York Central, with a new welcome building, new galleries, improved facilities and refurbished spaces that serve all our visitors, from the local community to those from overseas.  This appointment marks a significant milestone in the realisation of a 40-year-old ambition for the city. We are proud to be an integral part of a development that will bring much-needed homes, jobs and civic spaces to York.”

Tom Gilman, Regional Managing Director of McLaren Property:

“As a local of York, it is a privilege to be chosen as custodians of this hugely significant regeneration project, to build on the great work done by Homes England and Network Rail and deliver a scheme focused on People Place Planet Partnership and Prosperity.”

Stats and facts:

• York Central is one of the largest brownfield sites in England
• 45 hectares
• £135m Government funding secured for infrastructure
• Potential for up to 6,500 jobs
• Up to 2,500 new homes on brownfield land with 20% affordable
• Up to 1 million sq ft of office, retail and hospitality space
• 50% green space/17 acre urban park
• Helping to grow York’s future economy by 20%