Planning Information

Key milestones on the way to creating York Central

Illustrative timeline

Understanding the planning process

Outline Planning Application (OPA)

 

• An OPA was approved for York Central in December 2019

• It set the position of key uses and infrastructure

• It defined the:

  • uses
  • maximum and minimum amount of development
  • heights
  • layout of development plots
  • key points of access into the site
  • main routes through the site

Reserved Matters Application (RMA)

 

• An RMA is the next stage after an OPA has been granted

• It provides more detail than what was shown in the OPA

• It will include details about :

  • appearance
  • layout
  • landscaping
  • means of access

All documents from the Outline Planning Application for York Central can be found by following this link to the City of York Council planning website (18/01884/OUTM).

Useful documents from the Outline Planning Application (OPA)

Development Specification

 

The Development Specification Document describes the proposed development subject of the outline planning application, including the land uses, quanta of development and car and cycle parking ratios. It also provides explanatory text on various matters associated with the application.

Image of guide

Design Guide

 

The Design Guide was submitted in support of the Outline Planning Application, to inform the design principles and standards that the development proposals should follow. They are important in communicating the design expectations and requirements.

Image of plans

Parameter Plans

 

The parameter plans include information on the proposed land uses, building heights, area of potential built development, green infrastructure, access and movement and other key structuring and place making components.

Reserved Matters Applications

York Central Aerial

York Central Infrastructure

(RMA1)

 

View the documents submitted as part of the approved Reserved Matters Application relating to the construction of the primary vehicle route and associated roads, infrastructure, landscaping and alterations to the existing road network.

Central Hall visual

National Railway Museum,

Central Hall (RMA2)

 

View documents submitted as part of the approved Reserved Matters Application for the Central Hall at the National Railway Museum including entrance hall, exhibition space and café with associated access, parking, landscaping post-demolition of mess room and other structures.

Visual of new Square in York Central

The Square

(RMA3)

 

View the documents submitted as part of the approved Reserved Matters Application relating to the new Square including primary pedestrian and vehicle routes and associated landscaping, lighting, planting, paths, roads, infrastructure and alterations to the existing site.

Proposed New Office Building

(RMA4)

 

View the documents submitted as part of the Reserved Matters Application relating to the construction of a six storey office building with ancillary uses and self-contained retail at ground floor, associated car and cycle parking, servicing and access, public realm and other associated infrastructure.

For more information on community engagement and public consultation throughout the York Central development, visit the engagement page.

Glossary

A Decision Notice is a ruling issued by a Local Planning Authority, stating whether an application has been approved or refused.

If approved, the Decision Notice may set out a number of conditions relating to the decision.  These conditions must be followed when carrying out the development. The decision notice will also set out the reasons for these conditions and the reasons for the decision.

A Design and Access Statement sets out a narrative for the design approach and rationale for a development. It demonstrates how proposals are a suitable response to the site and its setting. 

Design Guides support an Outline Planning Application. They inform the design principles and standards that proposals for a development should follow. They are important in communicating the design expectations and requirements. Reserved Matters Applications must follow Design Guides if they are to be considered acceptable.

A Development Specification Document provides a description of the quantum of land uses and built development that are proposed

There are often conditions attached to planning permissions that need further details to be submitted and approved by a local planning authority at certain stages of development. This process is called ‘discharge of conditions’.

An Illustrative Masterplan has been produced to demonstrate that a high quality and viable scheme can be achieved within the parameters of the Development Specification and Framework, Parameter Plans and Design Codes as well as relevant planning policy.

The Illustrative Masterplan for York Central is included within the Design and Access Statement.

A masterplan is the beginning of a process. It is a flexible framework built on strong principles which will guide future development and help to safeguard quality and site heritage. It is not a fixed plan for the final buildings which will be constructed, but will establish the criteria that investors and developers must satisfy if they wish to put forward plans, ensuring that any future development is right for the city.

What the masterplan will decide is a preferred access option, the basic infrastructure and layout, public realm and how the site will link to surrounding neighbourhoods. It will also agree the mix of development for the site (residential/ leisure/ commercial), together with guidance on where the mix might be flexible, maximum building height and massing guidelines.

An Outline Planning Application (OPA) sets the position of key uses and infrastructure, defining the uses, maximum and minimum amount of development, heights, layout of development plots, key points of access into the site and main routes through the site

Once outline permission is granted this means that the local planning authority have granted planning permission and established the principle of development. Only the details can then be considered, known as Reserved Matters.

Parameter plans include information on the proposed uses of land, building heights, area of potential built development, green infrastructure, access and movement and other key structuring and place making components.

An RMA is the next stage following on from an OPA having been granted. It provides more detail than an OPA and includes details about appearance, layout, landscaping and means of access.

A Section 106 Agreement is an agreement between a developer and a Local Planning Authority about measures that the developer must take to reduce their impact on the community. It is designed to make a development possible that would otherwise not be possible, by obtaining concessions and contributions from the developer. It forms a section of the Town And Country Planning Act 1990.

A section 106 agreement may be modified or discharged, for help negotiating this process a planning expert’s help should be sought.

A Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) is a document planning applicants are required to produce that sets out what consultation will take place with the community on the preparation of planning documents.

If you have any questions related to planning please contact the York Central team: yorkcentral@homesengland.gov.uk.