The Government is calling on local authorities to draw up plans designed to develop housing and business around railway stations.

A new agreement between Network Rail and the Homes and Communities Agency will see them working with local councils on initiatives that could deliver up to 10,000 new properties on sites around stations.

York, Taunton and Swindon councils have already identified railway sites that could be pooled to deliver housing and other locally-led regeneration.

The north Yorkshire council’s proposals suggest land at York Central station (pictured) can support up to 2,500 homes. There is also around 100,000m2 of office and commercial space for private sector firms, which could support more than 6,600 jobs.

It is estimated housing and office regeneration around the station could add £1.16bn to the local economy.

Transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin said: ‘We are delivering the biggest programme of rail improvements since the Victorian age and have seen the transformation of stations such as Birmingham New Street, Manchester Victoria and London Kings Cross.

‘As a one nation government we are determined to ensure further opportunities are grasped to put stations at the heart of wider community regeneration. This will help deliver thousands of new homes and jobs and deliver a substantial return to the taxpayer.

‘I’m pleased to see that exciting visions for regeneration at Swindon, Taunton and York are being developed, with the potential for hundreds of additional homes and new businesses.’

‘I look forward to seeing how Network Rail and the Homes and Communities Agency’s excellent work on these projects develop,’ he added.

Photo: Michael Warwick/Shutterstock.com