Lib Dem Minister Vince Cable

The Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable, Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills visited York today (5 July) and met with City of York Council to discuss the economic potential of one of the largest brownfield development sites in the country -York Central.

Situated next to the railway station, the site offers a great opportunity for development of a high quality, mixed use development with efficient local, regional and national connections. Focusing on York’s proven growth sectors of creative and knowledge based industries, business services and financial/insurance services the redevelopment of the site could create over 7,500 new jobs.

Network Rail have recently secured planning consent for a state of the art training centre within the site and the council are preparing a planning and delivery framework to guide public and private sector investment in the site.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said: “The Government is committed to help close the gap between North and South and encourage strong and sustainable growth across different industries. Today’s visit to Yorkshire highlights how different sectors and companies are playing their part from greener manufacturing to exports.”

City of York Council Chief Executive, Kersten England, said: “York has successfully reinvented itself from a railway and confectionery manufacturing city into an international hub for science and technology and a national centre for financial and business services. We are the third fastest growing city in the UK and we need to continue to evolve and develop our assets, such as York Central, to remain an attractive proposition for investors and competitive in industry. ”