Media centre

Thursday 24 Jul 2008

YORK TO GET MAJOR REDEVELOPMENT

Region & Route:

Network Rail, Yorkshire Forward and the National Museum of Science & Industry (owners of the National Railway Museum) have today announced they are seeking a high class development partner to make a significant investment in York, providing a major boost for business, tourism and public transport links.

The £1bn+ redevelopment of the York Central ‘Teardrop’ site, which is one of the biggest ever undertaken in York , will see a significant number of new homes, offices and shops as well as enhancements to the National Railway Museum and a new transport interchange to serve York’s residents and visitors alike.

David Custance, Head of Strategic Development and Property at Yorkshire Forward said; "This development will secure the future of York city centre as a major retail, business and tourist destination.

"The regeneration of this brownfield city centre site will secure major private investment in the city and the region – good news for the people and businesses in and around York.”

The York Central team is now seeking a development partner which will then draw up detailed plans for the Teardrop site. Such plans are likely to include around 3,000 new homes, 55,000sq m of retail and up to 100,000 sq m of commercial space. The developer will also be expected to provide improvements to the National Railway Museum, a new station car park and a new transport interchange.

Mick Martin, Network Rail’s Director of Commercial Property added; “York Central is a great example of how Network Rail can encourage sustainable development and get investment into the railways, saving money for tax and fare payers.

“York is one of the major stations in Britain, with direct connections to Edinburgh, Bristol, Manchester, London and many other major cities, and a new transport interchange will improve journeys for residents and visitors to York alike.”

Andrew Scott, Director of the National Railway Museum added: “We see this as an important opportunity to enhance the Museum’s facilities and get better links to the city’s proposed cultural quarter.

“The redevelopment will also mean that visitors to the Museum get better first impressions of York as they arrive, and will encourage more visitors to York in general, which in turn means more visitors to the Museum.”

Hugh Bayley MP said; “York is a unique city, which we have a duty to protect for future generations. The York central development will bring us new jobs and much-needed family housing but it must be in keeping with the City’s scale and heritage, and built with modern technology to be an international showcase for sustainable low carbon living.

“There is no other historic city in Europe with a similar opportunity for a large city centre development. If we get it right we will enhance York’s reputation and prosperity. If we foul up or cut corners we will be blamed for centuries to come.”

Network Rail, Yorkshire Forward and the National Museum of Science & Industry have published adverts for initial expressions of interest from developers and expect to appoint a preferred developer in spring next year.

“There is no other historic city in Europe with a similar opportunity for a large city centre development. If we get it right we will enhance York’s reputation and prosperity. If we foul up or cut corners we will be blamed for centuries to come.”

Network Rail, Yorkshire Forward and the National Museum of Science & Industry have published adverts for initial expressions of interest from developers and expect to appoint a preferred developer in spring next year.