York’s ambitious plan for a state-of-the-art government office development has received the go-ahead from the City of York Council Planning Committee. The six-storey, 195,000 sq ft government hub, proposed by Network Rail, Homes England, and the Government Property Agency (GPA), is set for completion in 2027/2028.

Designed to house up to 2,600 civil servants, the hub will feature solar panels, air source heat pumps, a green roof, 230 cycle spaces, and a planted pedestrian area. The development also includes 135,000 sq ft of flexible office space, with ground floor retail and ancillary spaces.

Robin Dobson, Group Property Director at Network Rail, said, “Creating high quality workspace is fundamental to the future success of York Central. Having attracted the GPA, it is great to have reached this important planning milestone ahead of seeing a new workforce bring this regeneration scheme to life.”

York Central, one of the largest brownfield sites in the UK, is a major initiative aimed at redeveloping a substantial area of land next to York Station to boost the regional economy. The project is being developed through a collaborative partnership involving Network Rail, Homes England, the City of York Council, and the National Railway Museum. Private sector partners McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate will also be involved in the development.

Mark Bourgeois, CEO of the GPA, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “We are delighted to achieve planning permission to develop this new facility, which will deliver a modern, inspirational and energy-efficient office development for up to 2,600 civil servants. The new hub will help to accelerate the York Central development, stimulate economic growth and investment in the North of England, as well as support the transformation of the Civil Service.”

This new development is expected to be a focal point at upcoming property networking events in York and real estate networking events in Northern England, providing ample opportunities for industry professionals to explore potential collaborations.

York Central’s redevelopment has undergone extensive public consultation, ensuring the project meets the needs and expectations of the local community. For those interested in learning more about property investment and construction projects in York, this development will undoubtedly be mentioned at networking events and upcoming property networking events in the region.

This project offers insights into how to win construction contracts in York and provides a practical networking guide for those involved in the construction industry. It also highlights the potential for further economic growth and development in the North of England, attracting interest from property investors and developers across the UK.