Greenest in UK call for tear drop (From York Press)

Greenest in UK call for tear drop

2:38pm Thursday 31st July 2008 in Eco info

YORK’s Energy champion has called for the major ‘tear drop’ scheme behind the railway station to be declared the greenest inner city development site in the UK.

Coun Christian Vassie is pressing for York Central to become as sustainable as technology will allow through the creation of a first-class public transport system and zero carbon buildings.

His calls follows news that developers across Europe are now being invited to invest £1 billion in the city which looks poised to enjoy huge benefits, including the bus station the city has waited decades for.

As reported, a new transport interchange for visitors and residents is now being proposed, while there are also plans for a new station car park to meet growing demand for spaces.

Land owners Network Rail, Yorkshire Forward and the National Railway Museum announced last week they were seeking a high-class development partner for the £1 billion-plus project.

“I particularly welcome suggestions that the site should be a landmark sustainable development and I believe the city should declare the ambition for the site to be the greenest inner city development site in the UK,” said Coun Vassie, the council’s energy chief.

He said he had been “hugely heartened” by the green ambitions of the city’s business leaders for the site.

“These could be best realised by committing to the creation of a first-class public transportation system and by ensuring that buildings on the site are zero carbon rated by incorporating the best standards of insulation and by producing renewable energy one site.”

The York Centre site contains one of the nation’s primary railway station and the country’s National railway Museum.

“What better location for an innovative state of the art transportation systems such as a tram or a monorail?” argued Coun Vassie.

“We need to create a public transport network that is attractive and genuinely reduces CO2 emissions.”

He added: “Given the way energy prices are increasing we have two choices. We can either ask the Government to help us pay our bills or we can transform the way homes and offices are built.

“If we are to persuade the EU, the Government and regional development agency to help fund the development of the York Central site, we need to show a commitment to create something really special.

“Not only will this boost the local economy and create the more vibrant city residents say they want, it will also allow us to feel proud that this city is doing all it can to tackle climate change.”