New Government Hub for York Given Planning Green Light
The application to construct a six-storey, 195,000 sq ft government hub, put forward by partners the Government Property Agency (GPA), Homes England and Network Rail, was approved by the City of York Council Planning Committee.
Earmarked for completion in 2027/2028, the hub will be home to up to 2,600 civil servants. Building features include solar panels, air source heat pumps and a green roof, as well as 230 cycle spaces and a planted pedestrian area.
The development includes 135,000 sq ft of flexible office space, with ground floor retail and ancillary space.
The hub is the first part of York Central - a major initiative to redevelop a substantial area of land close to York city centre and boost the regional economy.
Mark Bourgeois, the GPA’s CEO, said:
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 supporting the transformation of the Civil Service.
It’s another milestone for us at the Government Property Agency to deliver smart, modern, sustainable and digitally connected workplaces that focus on improving productivity and wellbeing.
York Central is one of the largest brownfield sites in the UK, and is located next to the city’s railway station. The scheme is being brought forward by a collaborative partnership between Homes England, Network Rail, the City of York Council and the National Railway Museum. It will be developed by private sector partners McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate.
There has been extensive public consultation prior to the submission of the York Central government hub application.
Robin Dobson, Group Property Director at Network Rail, added:
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.
This article was issued via Press Release as 'New Government Hub for York Given Planning Green Light' dated July 23, 2024.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Bridging loan.
- Business process outsourcing (BPO).
- Buyer-funded development.
- Collateral.
- Construction loan.
- Construction project funding.
- Cost plans.
- Design and access statement.
- Drawdown.
- Equity and loan capital.
- Funder.
- Funding options for building developments.
- Funding prospectus for new developments.
- Funding prospectus.
- Future homes hub.
- Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark GRESB.
- Gross development value.
- Leaseback.
- Mezzanine finance.
- PF2.
- Private Finance Initiative.
- Project-based funding.
- Property development finance.
- Property valuation.
- Public project: outline work plan.
- Remortgage.
- Strategic freight hub.
- The HUB, Toronto.
Featured articles and news
We're expanding our collaborative mission by launching DB Intelligence, an exclusive market research advisory panel. Built environment professionals can now get paid to share their expertise on industry trends, products and services.
Panel members receive direct financial incentives for participating in research projects like short surveys, 1-2-1 interviews and focus groups. Register today to shape the future of the construction sector.
Planning condition discharge in England and Wales
A brief exoplanation from a building compliance expert, with further links.
Overheating guidance and tools for building designers
Guidance for dealing with element of building fabric control that have increasing importance.
Shading for housing, a design guide
From the Good Homes Alliance and British Blind and Shutter Association.
UK Standard Skills Classification (SSC)
A shared framework for describing skills needs.
Social media ban consultation comes to close
CIOB urges UK Government to consider social media’s role in careers guidance in ban debate.
The latest of eight Skills England apprenticeship units
The addition of battery manufacturing welcomed by ECA with a warning about the risks of fast-tracked apprenticeship units.
Building Control Independent Panel final report
A precis of a key report led by Dame Hackitt with full recommendations and link to the government response.
Building Safety recap April, 2026
A short and longer run-through of the month, with links to further information and sources.
CIAT May 2026 briefing.
From medieval scribes to modern word art.
ECA welcomes crackdown on late payment and push for clean energy, whilst CIOB seek fixed cladding removal timeframes.
Cyber Security in the Built Environment
Protecting projects, data, and digital assets: A CIOB Academy TIS.
Managing competence in the built environment
ITFG publishes new industry guide on how to meet the ICC principles.
The UK's campaign to reduce noise pollution: Mythbusting, articles and topic guides.