2,500-home York Central development is a step closer to being built

And work at the site could begin later this year.

Councillors voted by a majority to grant outline planning permission for the £650million development at a meeting last night, Monday.

The project would see up to 2,500 homes and 86,600 square metres of office space built on the brownfield site behind York railway station.

Council leader Ian Gillies urged members of the committee to approve the plans – saying millions of pounds of funding would be put at risk if the proposals were turned down or even delayed.

But the scheme has not been without controversy and a number of residents speaking at the meeting raised concerns about traffic, air pollution, the affordability of homes and other issues.

Cllr John Galvin, a member of the planning committee, said: “We have had 30 years to get to where we are now and it’s going to take a minimum of 20 years to get this completed. The sad fact is that I won’t even be here when it’s open – I would love to come down and see it when it’s finished.

“This is the first step on a long and arduous journey.”

The application will now be considered by the Secretary of State. A detailed planning application, including designs for the style of homes and offices, would then be submitted to the council.

York Central Partnership says work is due to begin at the site later this year, with housing and commercial property being built from 2020 and the development completed in 15 years.

A spokesperson for York Central Partnership said: “This is a huge moment for a project.

“York Central represents the biggest opportunity to transform York in generations, and the council’s decision today marks a huge step forward in bringing much needed homes and jobs into the city.

“We now look forward to working with our partners to bring forward the first phase and getting on site to deliver real change on the ground so the people of York can benefit from York Central as soon as possible.”