Decision details

The purpose of this report is to update the Executive on progress made towards a new rail station at Haxby;

to seek approval to add the Haxby Station project to the council’s Capital Programme 2021/22 and continue with development work with our delivery partners Network Rail,

and to seek approval to acquire the freehold interest of a specific plot of land within the area of Haxby, which could either significantly de-risk the future delivery of the project or be utilised for other strategic council objectives.

Executive Members will be asked to :
Note progress made to date.
Approve the addition of the Haxby Station project to the Capital Programme 2021/22.
Agree to the purchase of a specific plot of land.

Resolved:  (i)      That the progress made to date concerning a potential new rail station at Haxby be noted.

                   (ii)      That the addition of the Department for Transport grant of £400k to progress the Haxby Station project be approved, that the scheme be included in the Capital Programme 2021/22 and that authority be delegated to the Director of Place (in consultation with the Director of Governance or her delegated officers) to take such steps as are necessary to enter into the resulting agreement.

                   (iii)     That approval be given to acquire the freehold interest comprising 6.8 acres of land within the area of Haxby, as detailed in exempt Annex A, and to establish a budget of £250k to fund the purchase and associated acquisition costs.

                   (iv)    That approval be given to vire £250k from the Highways budget to fund the land purchase.

                   (v)     That authority be delegated to the Corporate Director of Place, in consultation with the Executive Member for Transport, to take such steps as are necessary to complete the purchase once all due diligence has been satisfactorily conducted on the land.

Reason:     To afford City of York Council the best opportunity to progress this project and present the strongest case possible to Central Government (the Department for Transport and the Treasury) for their anticipated grant of funding to enable the full delivery of a new rail station at Haxby.