Allies & Morrison and Arup clear major hurdle with York plans

Allies & Morrison and Arup’s plans to redevelop a 45ha swathe of York with 2,500 homes, new commercial and retail space and the expansion of the National Railway Museum have taken a crucial step forward.

The Ministry of Housing said the scheme – approved in principle by York council in March – would not face a planning inquiry because communities secretary James Brokenshire did not believe the move was necessary.

The proposals, which have been four years in development, have already attracted funding to the tune of £155m and the decision that they do not need to face an inquiry removes a potential delay of at least a year.

Council leader Keith Aspden said Brokenshire’s decision meant that the York Central Partnership, which brings together Homes England, Network Rail, two Local Enterprise Partnerships, the National Railway Museum, and the council, could proceed at pace.

“This is very welcome news,” he said. “Delivering York Central is a major opportunity to build new affordable homes, attract better paid jobs, deliver new public spaces and create sustainable transport links for the city.

“The outline application reflects the ambition we’ve demanded for the development, including the sustainable design standards.

“We will work with all stakeholders to seek further improvements where we can, particularly with clean growth, as we continue to work with the partnership to make sure the development makes the city an even better place to live, work and spend time.

“The partnership approach has been crucial to get us this far and we will continue to work with our partners, such as Homes England and Network Rail, to progress the development.”

Allies & Morrison and Arup created the proposals following a successful bid by the partnership to become one of the government’s “housing zone” areas.

The scheme focuses on disused railway infrastructure and buildings that surround the railway museum.

In addition to the new homes, the scheme includes the creation of new hotels, improved cycling access, a public park and a new western concourse for York station.

Landscape architects for the scheme are Gustafson Porter & Bowman.