Agenda item - York Central - York Central Masterplan and Partnership Agreement

The Corporate Director of Economy & Place to present a report which sets out an illustrative master plan and development parameters for the York Central site and proposes the agreement of a Memorandum of Understanding between members of the York Central Partnership, to set the outline terms of a proposed formal partnership agreement.

Note: The full version of Annex 3 to the above report has been published online only, with a copy available for inspection at the Reception desk at West Offices. An abridged version is included in the printed agenda pack.

Resolved: (i) That the York Central Partnership (YCP) master plan, which it is noted will inform and regulate future planning application submissions, be supported.

(ii) That the draft parameter plans and development schedules for York Central be endorsed, to enable the completion of the Environmental and Transport Impact Assessments and form the basis of planning submissions by the partnership.

(iii) That the final sign off of the York Central Design Guidelines be delegated to the Leader and Deputy Leader prior to the submission by the YCP of an outline planning application.

(iv) That the Memorandum of Understanding with the YCP be agreed.

(v) That approval of the layout and the submission of a detailed planning application for the first phase infrastructure of the York Central scheme be delegated to the Executive Member for Transport and Planning.

(vi) That further reports be received from Autumn 2018 setting out:

a) a partnership agreement and

b) funding arrangements.

Reason: To ensure the delivery of the York Central scheme.

(vii) That Officers be instructed to undertake further work to bring forward proposals to support and enhance the delivery of affordable housing on York Central.

(viii) That officers be instructed to bring back a detailed business case for the early investment in office accommodation on York Central as part of the council’s commercial portfolio.

(ix) That officers continue to work with city partners and community groups to identify early community facilities to be developed on York Central.

(x) That the council work with YCP to support the delivery of high sustainability standards on the site.

(xi) That YCP be encouraged to continue their community engagement approach throughout delivery of the scheme.

(xii) That officers work with YCP to develop proposals for the detailed design of public spaces on York Central.

(xiii) That further engagement be undertaken with businesses to focus the occupier strategy and integrate the commercial spaces within the broader area.

Reason: To ensure that the York Central scheme delivers the economic and social benefits described.

The Assistant Director for Regeneration & Asset Management presented a report which put forward an illustrative masterplan and development parameters for the York Central site, and a Memorandum of Understanding to set the outline terms of a proposed formal agreement between members of the York Central Partnership (YCP).

Feedback from an extensive 6-week public consultation event, ‘Festival of York Central’, held between March and April 2018 was set out in Annex 2 to the report. Annex 3 summarised the outcomes of the event and Annex 4 set out the parameter plans, illustrative masterplan and development schedules agreed by YCP partners on 25 May. These had been informed by the response to consultation and would form part of the outline planning application to be submitted later this year. The Memorandum of Understanding was attached at Annex 5. The proposed diversion of Leeman Road to facilitate the expansion of the National Railway Museum (NRM) was explained in paragraph 40 of the report.

In response to questions from Members and matters raised under Public Participation, Officers confirmed that:

· The masterplan was intended to illustrate how the site might look and create a framework for the planning application, but did not represent a finalised design for the scheme.

· Work was under way to engage with affected communities on potential changes to access from St Peter’s Quarter.

· Discussions could be arranged with the NRM on the issues relating to the Leeman Road diversion.

· A sustainability strategy would be prepared to examine how green energy and traffic issues would be dealt with; transport assessments and design guidelines would also address this aspect.

The Chair acknowledged the points made by the public participants and the challenges that would need to be overcome, emphasising the need to balance competing issues in moving forward with the development.