York Central Planning Application Granted
14 September 2026
Planning approval unlocks next phase of York Central
Location: Coal Drops, York, North Yorkshire, northern England, UK
Masterplan design: Allies and Morrison
Landscape and public realm: Grant Associates
images courtesy of architects practice
Detailed planning approval has been granted for the first phase of York Central, marking a major milestone for one of the UK’s largest city centre regeneration projects.
City of York Council has approved plans for the first homes, commercial spaces, extensive parkland and public realm, alongside a new western entrance to York railway station.
Grant Associates has played a significant role in shaping the landscape and public realm strategy for the £2 billion York Central regeneration, following its appointment by McLaren Regeneration in 2025 after a competitive design process. The practice has worked closely with McLaren and a multidisciplinary team led by masterplanners Allies and Morrison.
Set on a 45-hectare brownfield site beside York railway station, York Central is one of the UK’s most significant city-centre regeneration projects. The development will create a new mixed-use quarter equivalent to more than 40% of the size of York’s historic city centre, with at least 2,500 homes, more than one million sq ft of commercial space and an estimated 6,500 jobs.
The approved first phase will deliver 1,014 mixed-tenure homes, including 20% affordable housing, alongside a 213-bedroom hotel, a 99,190 sq ft innovation hub and 67,447 sq ft of retail and leisure space.
Landscape and green infrastructure provide the framework for the new quarter. A network of parkland, civic spaces, streets and courtyards will create a sequence of distinctive places, opening up new routes between York railway station, the National Railway Museum and the wider city.
Central Park and Coal Drops Square are two defining elements of this landscape-led approach.
Central Park will create a major new green space through the development, bringing nature into the heart of York Central and providing opportunities for recreation, play and everyday use. As a key piece of green and blue infrastructure, the park will support biodiversity and climate resilience while creating attractive walking and cycling connections across the site.
Coal Drops Square will create a new civic space at the western entrance to York railway station, transforming what has historically been the rear of the station into a new frontage and gateway for York Central. Generous planting and stepped terraces will frame flexible spaces for meeting, socialising and events, while creating a stronger pedestrian link to the National Railway Museum.
Drawing on the site’s distinctive railway heritage, Grant Associates’ landscape strategy reimagines York Central as a journey through a series of characterful public spaces, where the industrial legacy of the site is brought together with nature to create a greener, more welcoming and inclusive part of York.
Tom Gilman, Managing Director of McLaren Regeneration, said:
“Today marks a significant milestone in our journey to delivering what will be a truly transformational addition not only to the city of York but also the wider regional economy.
“From the outset, our vision has been to deliver a place that is both worthy of its historical location but also forward looking, providing the space the city and its people need to continue to thrive long into the future.”
York Central Coal Drops Entry:
York Central is being brought forward by joint venture development partners McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate on behalf of landowners Homes England and Network Rail, working closely with City of York Council, York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority and the National Railway Museum.
Construction is expected to start next year following site investigation works. The first buildings are expected to be ready for occupation in early 2029, with phase one due to complete during 2030.
Peter Chmiel, Director at Grant Associates, said:
“This approval is an exciting milestone for York Central and its future landscape vison of fostering a new community supported by a nature rich public realm . Central Park and Coal Drops Square will be at the heart of this remarkable site and new community, creating generous inclusive and active public spaces that connect people with the city, its railway heritage and each other.”
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Previously on e-architect:
16 December 2025
Location: Coal Drops, York, North Yorkshire, north of England, UK
Masterplan: Allies and Morrison
Landscape and public realm: Grant Associates
York Central Takes Major Step Forward as Planning Application Submitted for First Phase
York Central aerial view:
images courtesy of architects practice
York Central Planning Application Phase 1C Submission
Plans for York Central — one of the UK’s largest city-centre regeneration projects — have reached a major milestone with the submission of the Phase 1C reserved matters planning application, covering a substantial portion of the development’s first phase.
Grant Associates has played a significant role in shaping the landscape and public realm strategy at the heart of this transformative £2 billion regeneration scheme.
Set on a 45-hectare brownfield site beside York Railway Station, York Central represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reimagine a major part of the city’s urban fabric. The masterplan, developed with Allies and Morrison and a wider world-class multidisciplinary team, aims to create a welcoming, sustainable and distinctive new quarter that responds to York’s heritage while embracing the needs of a modern, future-looking city.
York Central Coal Drops Entrance:
The Phase 1C application includes:
• 999 mix-tenure homes, including 20% affordable
• A 99,188 sq ft innovation hub
• 69,255 sq ft of retail and leisure space
• A 213-bedroom hotel
• A brand-new western entrance to York Railway Station
• Extensive parkland, green infrastructure and public realm
Landscape and green infrastructure have been embedded from the outset as structuring elements of the masterplan. The design team’s vision establishes a connected network of streets, squares and parkland designed to support nature, encourage walking and cycling, and foster a strong sense of belonging. Generous planting, climate-resilient design and inclusive public spaces aim to ensure York Central becomes a thriving extension of the city — one that feels rooted, characterful and genuinely welcoming to all.
YC Coal Drops:
York Central is being brought forward by McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate, in partnership with Homes England and Network Rail, with £135m of Government investment secured for infrastructure. Independent analysis suggests the scheme could deliver up to 6,500 new jobs and contribute £1.1bn GVA to York’s economy.
The latest submission follows extensive engagement with local communities and interest groups, including drop-in events and online consultation. A decision from City of York Council is expected in Spring 2026, paving the way for work on site to begin later that year. The first phase of delivery will also include the previously approved 134,678 sq ft Government office building and Museum Square.
Peter Chimel, Director at Grant Associates, said:
“We’re looking forward to continuing our collaboration with the partners and communities to help deliver a vibrant, green and resilient new neighbourhood for York – one that celebrates interconnectedness and focuses on community and inclusivity.”
York Central King’s Cross London – Regeneration Information
Credits:
Allies and Morrison
McLaren Property
Arlington Real Estate
Homes England
Network Rail
York Central Planning Application, North Yorkshire, northern England regeneration images / information received 161225 from Grant Associates UK
Location: Coal Drops, York, North Yorkshire, northern England, UK, England, United Kingdom.
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Comments / photos for the York Central Planning Application, Coal Drops, North Yorkshire, northern England Masterplan design by Allies & Morrison Architects; Landscape and public realm by Grant Associates page welcome.
