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A walkable, sustainable neighbourhood rooted in York’s character
The £2 billion York Central regeneration project includes Haworth Tompkins’ designs for Foundry Village; a walkable, street-based neighbourhood that will deliver 368 mixed-tenure homes.
The project has been shaped by York’s character and heritage. Building forms, materials and street patterns take inspiration from the city’s Victorian terraced streets and industrial architecture. Along Central Park, apartment buildings and taller terraces create a strong, active frontage, while quieter residential streets and landscaped ginnels provide shared gardens and places for neighbours to meet.
Together, the proposals aim to deliver a neighbourhood that is distinctively York – one that balances homes, heritage, green space and community life, while making a significant contribution to meeting the city’s housing needs.
At the heart of the neighbourhood will be Foundry Yard, a new public square framed by homes, community uses and a local convenience store. Foundry Yard is designed to become a lively focal point for everyday life.
The retained historic foundry buildings will play a future role as community, cultural and creative spaces, reinforcing the area’s industrial heritage while supporting a vibrant, active neighbourhood centre.
Green infrastructure is central to the proposals. A connected sequence of open spaces, known as The Sidings, will run through the site, linking Leeman Road to Foundry Yard and Central Park. These spaces are designed for play, relaxation and everyday movement, ensuring that all residents are close to nature. The project is also a UK Net-Zero Carbon Building Standard pilot, reflecting the ambition to deliver an exemplar sustainable neighbourhood.
York Central is being brought forward by joint venture development partners McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate, Homes England and Network Rail, in close collaboration with key stakeholders, the City of York Council and the National Railway Museum.
