The leader of City of York council has welcomed the ‘fantastic news’ that £77m will be invested to ensure that York’s new city centre quarter development goes ahead.

Homes England and Network Rail will be investing the funds in the York Central project following yesterday’s confirmation from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government of the funding’s route.

The Government funding, first announced in the March 2020 Budget and subject to planning approval, will enable vital infrastructure to connect the site, including a bridge over the East Coast mainline railway.

The infrastructure will unlock brownfield land with significant access problems and allow the development of up to 3,705 homes, up to 1.2 million square feet of commercial development including 80% Grade A offices, and an enhancement of the setting and access to the National Railway Museum.

Cllr Keith Aspden, leader of City of York Council, commented:

‘This is fantastic news for York and it clearly demonstrates the importance of the partnership’s continued work and commitment to delivering this ambitious scheme.

‘The funding is a vital step to unlocking a £1.16bn boost to our economy and delivering a new generation of better paid jobs and hundreds of affordable homes, at a time when York needs it most. The scheme will also set new standards for sustainable living and clean growth, utilising brownfield land in the heart of the city.

‘The York Central Partnership is delivering where decades of proposals have failed. Our shared vision for an ambitious development which delivers cleaner, greener growth and a fairer economy in York underpins the entire project, and we will keep playing our part to make York Central deliver for the whole city.’