It’s happening, it’s gathering momentum and a long-awaited project for York is finally on its way.

Such is the optimism of those behind it that last week, they took the Press on a tour of the site.

Forty years in the making, York Central will be the largest urban regeneration project in Britain.

The scheme promises to deliver up to 2,500 homes (20% affordable), 1.2m ft2 of office, retail and leisure space, possibly 6,000 jobs, plust a large new park and two public squares.

York Press:

Homes England and Network Rail report progress including outline planning permission for the development in 2019, and recent approval for infrastructure at the final reserved matters stage.

The National Railway Museum has also gained planning approval for its Central Hall Project, which forms part of its 2025 vision.

Furthermore, Homes England has secured a contractor, John Sisk and Sons to deliver £100m of infrastructure over three years. This will include 2km of new roads, pedestrian footbridges and cycleways, plus an ‘iconic’ bridge over the East Coast Mainline.

Homes England and Network Rail is halfway through its programme to get a development partner to build the scheme, with an appointment expected in spring/summer 2023.

The scheme is a partnership between the two groups, plus the National Railway Museum and City of York Council.

Mike said: “The council has pledged enterprise zone funding of £35m, along with other funding from Homes England, central government and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

“It’s being a real collective of the public sector. These bodies have seen that we are funded and we are on the cusp of delivery.”

As we left York station, we could see work on a new car park, which opens in November, with space for 300 vehicles replacing another car park, which will be built on.

York Central will also see a revamped entrance between the NRM and the station.

A site known as ‘coal drop’ will be filled in to create a public square, with ‘Museum Square’ created over the road by the NRM. A major central park will also be created. The aim is to complete these by 2025.

The weighbridge office and ‘Bullnose’ building will stay.

The NRM has £50m of changes planned, including to its 1970s-style entrance, with the NRM and York Central, currently separated by Leeming Road, coming together.

The Cinder Lane footpath and cycleway will be temporarily diverted, with an alternative route nearby promising safer and better lighting.

York Press:

Heading towards Wilton Rise, we see a steep footbridge, that will be replaced.

From it, the 120-acre brownfield site could be clearly seen. The commercial buildings will be closer to the station, with the homes further back and on railway sidings to the west.

A masterplan has been created, but this will change with public consultation, with community engagement another message the partners were keen to emphasise.