The planned £2bn York Central regeneration has shifted up a gear with developers submitting the major building planning package covering almost all remaining elements of the first phase.

The new application for phase 1C includes the first 999 homes, an innovation hub, major retail and leisure floorspace, a 213-bed hotel, large areas of public realm, and a new western entrance to York Railway Station.

York Central is being delivered by the McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate joint venture alongside Homes England and Network Rail, working in close collaboration with City of York Council and the National Railway Museum.

The design team features Allies and Morrison as masterplanners and Grant Associates on landscape

On a 45-hectare brownfield site next to York Station – larger than London’s King’s Cross regeneration – the partners aim to build a  living, leisure and commercial district.

Over £135m of government funding is already locked in for infrastructure, with the scheme forecast to create up to 6,500 direct and indirect jobs and boost York’s economy

Coal Drops station approach

A decision from City of York Council is expected in spring 2026.

Key elements of the phase 1C

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• 999 mix-tenure homes with 20% affordable
• 99,188 sq ft innovation hub
• 69,255 sq ft retail and leisure space
• 213-bed hotel
• New western station entrance
• Extensive parkland and public realm

Housing blocks to the rear of the site

Earlier reserved matters approvals already secured include a 135,000 sq ft government office building and Museum Square.

Tom Gilman, managing director of McLaren Regeneration, said: “This represents another important milestone in the planning and delivery process and demonstrates the continuing momentum of this exciting project.

“At a critical time for the nation’s economy when the Government is issuing a clarion call to ‘Build, baby, build’ we are moving full steam ahead to deliver essential new homes, work and leisure and establishing a new live-work-play community in one of the biggest milestones in my home city of York’s illustrious history.”

Leon Guyett, director of regeneration partnerships (York) at Homes England, said the application shows “how strategic government investment, over £135 million to date, can unlock transformative regeneration.”