City of York Council reviewing planning application set to deliver over 2,000 jobs

A planning application for a new employment and business park set to create over 2,000 jobs has been submitted to City of York Council.

The Oakgate Group has submitted proposals for the Naburn Business and Employment park, set to include new offices, an innovation centre and improvements to the existing park and ride service.

Included on the park, located off St Nicholas Avenue, is a total of 270,000 sq ft office space. In order to make the development sustainable, other businesses on the site will include a restaurant, children’s nursery and a gym.

Richard France, managing director of the Wetherby-based Oakgate Group, said: “This is an opportunity that should be grasped to ensure York’s burgeoning economy continues to thrive.

“These proposals will offer a range of office space for both existing business wishing to expand, and to attract major new investment to the city.

“It fits in with the new council administration’s stated aim to improve the economy and will complement the plans for York Central, by offering more locational and timing choice to businesses.

“Our proposals will help meet the chronic lack of quality office and business space in the City and can be delivered quickly. Economic benefits, transport improvements, energy efficiency and ecological diversity will ensure it is a truly sustainable development.”

A consultation process began in 2018 and, as a result, there have been various changes to the masterplan. These include providing a green buffer to properties on Lingcroft Lane, moving the position of the Park and Ride on the masterplan away from residential properties and altering the bus route.

Out of the total site area, 35 acres will be kept as a green corridor along the A64. A new roundabout on St Nicholas Avenue will provide access to the site.

DLA Design Group has produced the masterplan that includes, along with the offices and business space, a series of small scale ‘pavilions’ that will provide places for leisure and recreation, all set within highly distinctive landscape character areas.

Avison Young is the planner in this project. The upper garden terraces of the pavilions have been aligned to create direct visual connections with key City of York landmarks, including the Minster.