City of York Council is set to consider the adoption of its Local Plan following the findings of the Inspector’s Report on the Examination of City of York’s Local Plan.
The Local Plan will be presented for consideration at Full Council on Thursday 27 February.
Once adopted, this Plan will be the city’s first comprehensive development framework since 1956 and will guide York’s growth for the next decade, marking a pivotal milestone in the city’s future development and growth ambitions, whilst establishing the city’s green belt and historic setting for the first time.
The Local Plan outlines the vision for sustainable housing, economic development, and infrastructure in York. It addresses key priorities such as affordable housing, environmental sustainability, and the protection of York’s historic character. The Plan provides a policy framework for decisions on development, shaping the city’s future spatial development until 2038.
As part of the adoption process, the Council will review the Inspector’s recommendations and the main modifications to housing allocations, green belt boundaries, and transport infrastructure planning. The final decision on whether to formally adopt the Local Plan will be made at the Full Council meeting on Thursday 27 February.
Cllr Claire Douglas, Leader of the Council, said:
The Local Plan is an historic step in shaping York’s bright future, and we’re excited about what it means for our city. We welcome the Inspector’s findings and are confident that their modifications will strengthen the Plan, ensuring it supports York’s vision for a sustainable, inclusive city for all. The Plan provides us with a clear roadmap for how our city will develop and grow over the next decade – meeting the needs of our residents and businesses.
“A huge thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to bring this Plan to life. We truly appreciate your dedication and commitment to York’s future.”
Cllr Katie Lomas, Executive Member for Finance, Performance, Major Projects, Human Rights, Equality, and Inclusion, added:
This Local Plan is designed to support the growth of York while promoting equality, accessibility, and sustainability. We are particularly focused on ensuring that affordable housing remains a central component of this Plan, along with infrastructure that meets the needs of all residents, including those from the most disadvantaged groups. This is a long-term investment in creating a fairer, greener York for future generations.
Cllr. Michael Pavlovic, Executive Member for Housing, Planning and Safer Communities, commented:
The Local Plan represents the outcome of 7 years extensive consultation, public hearings, and thorough examination. The Plan outlines significant investments in housing, transport, and employment opportunities, which will help drive York’s economy and provide much-needed infrastructure. For York to prosper we need to be ambitious, and this Plan unlocks the potential to make those ambitions a reality.
Inspector’s Report and Next Steps
The Inspector’s Report, published following extensive independent examination, recognised that the Local Plan meets all statutory duties to cooperate and aligns with national planning policies. However, the Report also identified certain areas requiring modifications to ensure the Plan’s soundness, particularly regarding the housing supply, green belt boundaries, and infrastructure delivery.
The Council has already responded to the Inspector’s recommendations, requesting main modifications that will address these deficiencies. Full Council will be asked to adopt the plan with the Inspectors' modifications.
The Local Plan in Brief
The Local Plan will provide a comprehensive strategy for:
- Delivering 20,000 new homes over the duration of the plan, including a significant proportion of affordable housing
- Allocating sites for economic growth, including areas for employment and retail expansion
- Investing in sustainable transport infrastructure, including improved bus routes, cycling paths, and EV charging stations
- Mitigating and adapting to climate change with enhanced green infrastructure, flood defences, and energy-efficient building standards.
- Safeguarding York’s historic and cultural heritage while ensuring new development respects the city’s unique character.
- Setting the city’s green belt and protecting the historic setting for the first time.
The adoption of the Local Plan represents a turning point in York’s growth, ensuring that development is sustainable, well-planned, and consistent with local priorities.
For more details on the Inspector’s Report and the upcoming Full Council meeting, visit the our Local Plan Inspectors Report.
Full Council takes place on Thursday 27 February, the agenda is available to view online at our Democracy website and the meeting will be available to view live or on demand at our webcasts page.