A CAMPAIGN group has been set up to influence plans for a development of up to 2,500 new homes in York city centre.

Community groups representing people in Holgate, as well as charities, businesses and faith groups, are all backing the new York Central Action (YCA) group, and next month YCA is holding a community conference to talk about the principals it wants to underpin the York Central development.

York Central - a 72 hectare site formed mainly of former railway land behind the station - could see the development of thousands of new homes and enough office space for 7,000 new jobs.

YCA’s founding member James Pitt, who is also involved in the Friends of West Bank Park, said he was excited to see the level of support the group had already seen across the ward.

He added: “I think it’s one of the most exciting things to happen in Holgate throughout my time of living here. People are itching to participate, take the initiative, and demand that York Central works for local people.”

City of York Council has already set up the York Central Community Forum for residents, interest groups, councillors, staff and commercial partners, to act as a “sounding board” as the development goes through, however concern has been expressed that its role is limited.

Laura Outhart said she has joined the York Central Action committee because she believes more can and should be done to talk to local residents.

She added: “York Central is an enormous opportunity for the city but also carries many potential risks, costs and uncertainties for our local communities.

“The council’s community forum is a part of the consultation process, but its role and membership is very limited. York Central Action provides a new opportunity for local people to come together to discuss the issues and to help ensure this major site is developed in a way that will genuinely benefit the people and businesses of York”.

Hannah Swierstra, another founding member, said: “We are not just a little pressure group. We are speaking on behalf of a wide range of communities and supporting each other for the first time across our city.”

York Central is owned by the city council, the National Railway Museum and Network Rail, and the three bodies are working together with the support of government departments on a major redevelopment.

Later this summer the city council is expected to launch a public consultation on what should happen to the land. including controversial proposed access roads.

A masterplan will then be drawn up setting out broad principals, and the mix of homes and offices.

The community conference will take place on Saturday, April 29 from 10am to 12pm at the Priory Street Centre.

For information and to register interest, visit www.yorkcentralaction.org.uk.