Deal will unlock city centre teardrop site

11:00am Thursday 24th July 2008

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THE York Central scheme has been in the pipeline for many years – but if all goes to plan, matters should now move forward much more quickly.

A spokeswoman said a preferred developer was likely to be identified by next spring and it was anticipated that a planning application could be submitted in 2010.

However, she stressed such a scheme, bringing significant private investment in regional infrastructure, tourism and business, was likely to be delivered in several phases, and it was difficult at this stage to give specific timescales.

She said once a legal agreement had been reached, Network Rail, Yorkshire Forward, the National Museum of Science & Industry and the selected developer would consult with local residents, businesses, passengers and other stakeholders on the plans as part of the planning process.

“We will seek planning permission only once a development partner has been selected and drawn up their proposals in more detail. Once this has been done we will give local stakeholders and members of the public the opportunity to review our plans and feed into their development as we seek any necessary planning permissions.”

Asked whether the scheme, which has been under discussion for many years, would now go ahead, she said studies had shown that a top-quality development could be delivered to the benefit of all parties. “Previous discussions about the site have never progressed to this stage – we are now in a position to seek a high-quality development partner. At present no specific developers have been identified and we are open to all expressions of interest.”

Asked how a developer would be chosen, she said initial expressions of interest would be considered and then a “long-list” formed.

“Developers on this long-list will be invited to give further details of how they would approach such a development, then a final shortlist will be chosen.”

She said shortlisted developers would be provided with more detailed development guidance to allow them to draw up more detailed proposals, which would then be considered by Network Rail, Yorkshire Forward and the museum. “A preferred developer will be selected from this short-list in spring 2009.”

She did not expect the developments to disrupt services or lead to any closure of York Station.

She said the regeneration of vacant and underutilised railway land would create an income stream for future investment in the railways, which would not impact on passengers or taxpayers. “The development will mean significant private investment in York, bringing more high- quality retail to the city centre, helping to retain and encourage more shoppers to visit, providing a new transport interchange at the region’s major station, and bringing improvements to the National Railway Museum, one of the region’s major tourist attractions. “Moreover it will provide much needed residential development on a brownfield, city centre site, reducing pressure for greenfield development.”

Scheme could be an ‘international showcase’

YORK MP Hugh Bayley called today for the York Central development to be an international showcase for “sustainable, low-carbon living.”

He said York was a unique city and there was a duty to protect it 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,” he said.

“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.”

York council leader Andrew Waller said today’s announcement was a result of a great deal of hard work put in by his predecessor Steve Galloway in bringing parties together to talk.

He said: “Five years ago, it didn’t look as if progress. There has been a tremendous effort to bring this forward.”

Coun Waller added there was a “huge potential” on the site for a modern public transport interchange which would benefit both residents and tourists.

He said the prospect of a billion pound investment in the city should be encouraging for future employment, creating thousands of jobs.