Plans to bring a government hub to York have been described by the region’s elected mayor as a significant opportunity for growth and jobs for York and North Yorkshire.
Announced by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in last week’s Comprehensive Spending Review, the plan would see a new government hub within the York Central development, and the prospect of 2600 civil servant jobs.
York and North Yorkshire Mayor, David Skaith said: “The plan to bring a government hub to York Central is the start of a new and exciting chapter for our region and the wider North.
“A government hub as the anchor tenant for York Central, will bring thousands of civil service jobs and turbocharge the development as a strategic site. The backing shown by Chancellor Rachel Reeves has recognised our ambition, our world class innovation and our strong potential to attract private sector investment and drive clean and green growth, creating more high-quality jobs.
“My focus will be to ensure that the opportunities created reach every part of our region, attracting our young people and skilled workforce and encouraging them to stay and work here.
“I’ll be working closely with the York Central Partnership to support their plans for York Central to generate wider social and economic impacts for York and North Yorkshire, connecting communities to the jobs created from the hub, from the construction phase and beyond.”
City of York Council is one the collaborative partners involved in delivery of York Central.
Council leader, Cllr Claire Douglas, said: “The Government’s investment in York Central, including the commitment to locate 2,600 civil service jobs there, is fantastic news and contributes to our vision of world class placemaking for York that will benefit the whole city.
“This major new chapter in the city’s development involves transforming the entire area around the railway station, both through the ongoing Station Frontage scheme and behind it, the landmark York Central development.
“Infrastructure works there are progressing well in preparing the site for development and the public will soon be using the new road, paths and cycle ways.
“The Government’s considerable affordable housing commitment in the recent Spending Review provides even more potential to maximise the benefits of York Central, which I really welcome”.
The strategic development work at York Central is led by McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate, who were appointed by Homes England and Network Rail Property.
Tom Gilman, managing director of McLaren Regeneration, said: “The government hub forms an important part of our masterplan and their commitment to York Central reinforces the fact that both York Central and the city provide the perfect environment for work and life, and we’re excited to bring forward their new building as part our first phase of development”.
The planned hub in York is part of a Government commitment to move civil service jobs away from London, to other regions, and has invested £244million in the plan. The funding is intended to assist redevelopment and provide a boost to regional economies.
