Partners across York and North Yorkshire have welcomed a bold new approach to boost jobs, housing and regeneration across the region, following approval at the Combined Authority Cabinet meeting last week (2 July).
Three Mayoral Development Zones (MDZs) will drive forward the regeneration and development opportunities in three priority areas – Scarborough, the Selby Growth Zone and York Central.
MDZs are a key tool available to Mayors through devolution to designate areas as a priority for development. They allow the Mayor to take a lead in bringing together developers, landowners and the local authority to attract private sector investment and align public sector funding.
Tom Bridges, Executive Director, North East and Yorkshire from Homes England said
“The creation of Mayoral Development Zones in Scarborough, Selby and York Central will help accelerate regeneration and housing and economic growth of these huge opportunities for York and North Yorkshire.
Through the combination of Mayoral leadership, and the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, local authorities and Homes England working and investing together we can support the delivery of thousands of new homes and jobs.
As a significant investor, provider of regeneration expertise, and at York Central as a landowner and developer, Homes England is committed to play its part in the MDZs”
Tom Gilman, from York Central said
“York Central being designated as a Mayoral Development Zone will be a welcome move to help accelerate the delivery of the 2,500+ new homes on-site, as well as the new central business district which will be anchored by the Government Hub.
We already work in close partnership with the mayor and the combined authority, and such a decision can only help drive increased momentum at York Central, where we're focussed on creating a brand-new city quarter; one where affordable home, quality jobs, and a wealth of other opportunities will be delivered for the people of York.
The three agreed MDZs are:
- A new Selby Growth Zone bringing together major employment sites across the south of the region and creating over 7,000 new jobs in the Selby Growth Zone
- Acceleration the delivery of 2,500 new homes and a new central business district in York Central
- Regeneration in Scarborough, including major improvements to the town centre, bring forward leisure and tourism development and unlock 1,000s of new homes in one of the region’s most deprived communities
These areas have been chosen because they are ready to move forward and could make a big difference to both regional growth and local residents, helping people access good jobs, affordable homes and better places to live.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said
“Mayoral Development Zones gives us the opportunity to go further and faster making a real difference to people’s everyday lives.
“Scarborough, Selby and York Centre will deliver thousands of new homes, unlock thousands of new and better jobs, and attract billions of pounds of investment into our region.
“Some of the sites are ready to go and just need that final push, others need the final pieces of investment to get them going. Each area will be tailored to get development going and delivered quicker.
An initial £10 million MDZ Regeneration Fund was, also, agreed to kickstart the next phases of development and to unlock further government and private investment to accelerate delivery.
Mayor Skaith added
“This investment will ensure we can work with our local authority partners to ensure we deliver the government funding and private sector investment needed.
It is an important step in setting out how we can bring investment into our communities and make sure growth benefits everyone.”
