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
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.