A regeneration opportunity in the North that could be similar in scale to London’s King’s Cross will be offered to developers early next year. The site is a 200-acre expanse of railway and industrial land behind York train station that could house millions of sq ft of commercial development and around 4,000 homes. The land, close to the River Ouse, comprises York Central, an 80-acre plot mainly owned by rail operator Network Rail, and 120 acres that were formerly occupied by Associated British Foods’ sugar beet factory. York city council, in partnership with urban regeneration company Yorkshire Forward, Network Rail and the National Science Museum, launched a public consultation document earlier this month, outlining a variety of options for the land. Findings from the consultation, which closes on 14 January, will be used to draw up development plans for the site. Chris Lacey, executive director at CB Richard Ellis, which is advising the stakeholders, said the site was one of few major regeneration opportunities. It has potential for a £1bn mixed-use development, comprising 1m sq ft of offices, a shopping centre, a five-star hotel and a sports stadium for York City football club and the York City Knights rugby team. The scheme is expected to attract the interest of the government as it continues to decamp its London-based civil servants to the regions. Jan Anderson, executive director of environment at Yorkshire Forward, said: “These sites give York an incredible opportunity that the city has not had for some time, and won’t have again.” Plans to develop York Central were drawn up in 2002, but were put on hold in September 2006 when ABF announced the closure of the nearby sugar factory. A preferred option for the site will be decided in December 2008. The council is currently bidding for a £300m regeneration grant for the project.
A regeneration opportunity in the North that could be similar in scale to London’s King’s Cross will be offered to developers early next year. The site is a 200-acre expanse of railway and industrial land behind York train station that could house millions of sq ft of commercial development and around 4,000 homes. The land, close to the River Ouse, comprises York Central, an 80-acre plot mainly owned by rail operator Network Rail, and 120 acres that were formerly occupied by Associated British Foods’ sugar beet factory. York city council, in partnership with urban regeneration company Yorkshire Forward, Network Rail and the National Science Museum, launched a public consultation document earlier this month, outlining a variety of options for the land. Findings from the consultation, which closes on 14 January, will be used to draw up development plans for the site. Chris Lacey, executive director at CB Richard Ellis, which is advising the stakeholders, said the site was one of few major regeneration opportunities. It has potential for a £1bn mixed-use development, comprising 1m sq ft of offices, a shopping centre, a five-star hotel and a sports stadium for York City football club and the York City Knights rugby team. The scheme is expected to attract the interest of the government as it continues to decamp its London-based civil servants to the regions. Jan Anderson, executive director of environment at Yorkshire Forward, said: “These sites give York an incredible opportunity that the city has not had for some time, and won’t have again.” Plans to develop York Central were drawn up in 2002, but were put on hold in September 2006 when ABF announced the closure of the nearby sugar factory. A preferred option for the site will be decided in December 2008. The council is currently bidding for a £300m regeneration grant for the project. samantha.mcclary@egi.co.uk
