CAREFUL consideration will need to be given to new proposals for a business park on the southern edge of York, next to the Designer Outlet.

Property developers Oakgate Group envisage developing a vast site for new offices, restaurants, a children’s nursery and a gym on a 79-acre site on St Nicholas Avenue, Fulford. To put that into scale, the Designer Outlet covers a 60-acre site. The proposal is earmarked for green belt land and comes at a time when City of York Council has already submitted its draft local plan for the future development of York to Government inspectors for consideration.

It is said the new business park would bring 2,000 jobs to the city – as well as more office space, something York certainly needs.

However, the council is dedicated to developing York Central as a new commercial hub, with new office space, as well as a hotel, restaurants, bars and apartments.

City centres across the UK are struggling and require a strong, bold vision for the future – and dynamic, dedicated leadership to ensure they can be vibrant and viable places for people to live and work. The prospect of a new out-of-town business park in Fulford and Naburn raises many issues that need addressing, not least if this is the right place to encourage our city’s economic development.

Germany Beck will bring 650 new homes into the area too, creating issues over whether the site’s transport links and infrastructure will be adequate. Oakgate is beginning its consultation on these plans. We look forward to the results with interest.