Agenda item

This is an update on the progress of the York Central Partnership as the scheme moves towards delivery.

Members considered a report that updated them on the progress of the York Central Partnership, as the scheme moved towards delivery.

The Director of Housing, Economy & Regeneration, the Head of Transport and the Project Director for York Central (Homes England and Network Rail) were in attendance to provide an update and answer any questions.

During discussion of the item, particularly on the York Central partnership and governance arrangements, the contractual arrangements and the statutory roles undertaken, Members were informed that:-

·        City of York Council (CYC) would lead on the delivery of the riverside path improvements.

·        A master plan had been developed that proposed to reorganise highway and public realm areas to the front of York Station.

·        The Station Gateway Project would be delivered in collaboration with Network Rail (NR) and London North East Railway (LNER).

·        The Housing Delivery Programme team had worked with landowner partners (Homes England

and Network Rail) to undertake a feasibility study that would support the delivery of housing alongside other community uses.

·        CYC would continue to encourage productive inward investment onto the York Central site.

·        There had already been significant public engagement at all stages of the master planning process and this would continue.

The Project Director then provided a presentation on York Central. It highlighted the current position, the master plan, the existing site, what the market was perceiving for York, the project delivery and the schemes and infrastructure, particularly related to Homes England and Network Rail.

In answer to Members questions, Officers confirmed:

·        The demand for Grade A flexible office space in big strategic locations was still there. 

·        It was an aspiration to ensure the construction methods used for the commercial space was the same sustainability ambition as the residential sites.

·        The outline planning application would be used to ensure housing developers built upon that and the infrastructure would be flexible to enable various power sources to be used. 

·        The Carbon Trust had considered the district heating on York Central but found it would be less efficient than using air source heat pumps or ground source heat pumps, so this was not an option in the outline planning application.

·        The utility diversions off Queen Street Bridge would take place early 2022 and then the bridge could be demolished to create space for the improved interchange at the front of the station. 

·        An update on York Railway Station Gateway would be considered by Executive on 18 November 2021.

·        The building cost inflations were constantly reviewed and considered.

·        It was an aspiration to ensure the car parking opportunities integrated well with all the transport systems.

·        The outline planning application created a replacement highway following the stopping up of Leeman Road and it had always been an aspiration of the outline planning application to not create another arterial route into the city that replaced one of the existing ones.

·        Officers would aim to drive car usage down on the York Central site and would encourage green car usage and electric hyperhub charging points.

·        The section 106 agreement that came with the development had the flexibility to improve certain routes and junctions for public transport and to integrate the active travel network. The substantial improvements on York Central would be tied into the general networks across the whole city.

·        The jobs offered within the government hub would create full and varied career opportunities within the Civil Service for people that live in York and the surrounding areas.

·        The jobs within the rail hub would continue the City’s rail history and officers were pitching for Great British Railways to be headquartered in York.

Officers were thanked for their comprehensive update.

Resolved:

(i)                   That the report and presentation outlining the current and potential governance arrangement for York Central Partnership be noted.

(ii)                 That the presentation be circulated to Committee Members.

Reason:  To keep Members updated on the developments of York Central.