New Independent Report Highlights the Huge Potential of York’s Ambitious Plan for Growth

Big things could be on the horizon for York, and it's not just about building a few new shops. A seriously ambitious plan for the city's future has been looked at by independent experts, and they’ve put a massive number on its potential impact: £12.1 billion.

That’s a huge figure, and it’s not all about money. This ambitious plan is designed to touch everything, from the kinds of jobs available to how green the city is, blending York's famous heritage with a forward-thinking vision. It’s a roadmap for growth that aims to make the city an even better place to live and work for everyone.

The big plan

Back in November 2025, the City of York Council gave the green light to a special document called a 'prospectus'. Think of it like a big, detailed wishlist for the city's future. It's not just a vague idea; it's a proper plan designed to attract investment. And what's on this list? Quite a lot, actually. The prospectus outlines a strategy for economic and housing growth, but it goes much deeper. It’s an ambitious plan to tackle inequality, bring in more clean energy, and give the local environment a boost.

The plan also focuses on improving digital and transport connections – things like faster internet and better public transport, which make a real difference to daily life. The York Council has put together this prospectus to show the world the city's enormous potential and to lay the groundwork for some serious positive changes. It’s a blueprint for a future York that respects its incredible history while building a modern, thriving community. This is a plan for growth that has the city's unique culture at its core.

Putting a number on the potential

It's one thing for the council to have a big idea, but it’s another to get an outside opinion. So, the council asked an independent consultancy, Sewells Advisory, to take a proper look at the prospectus and figure out what it could all be worth. The result is a new independent report, published on 30 Jan 2026, which is causing a bit of a stir. The report digs into the 'social value' of the plan. Social value isn't just about pounds and pence; it's about the wider benefits to society.

It’s the value of having better parks, cleaner air, more community activities, and good, stable jobs. The independent report calculated that the combined social, economic and environmental benefit of this ambitious plan could be a staggering £12.1 billion. That's a massive number that shows the incredible potential locked within the city. The report also highlights the potential for a huge number of new jobs – over 40,000 in construction to build everything, and another 2,700 permanent jobs to keep things running afterwards. This independent analysis confirms that the growth plan isn't just a dream; it has real, measurable potential.

What the people behind the plan are saying

The leaders at the City of York Council are clearly excited about what this independent report means for the city. It gives them the evidence to show potential investors that York is the right place to put their money. The report and its findings will be discussed at a public meeting, making sure the process is transparent.

Councillor Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council, had this to say:

In November last year we approved an ambitious long-term plan for York’s future, providing a practical framework for delivery shaped by local priorities.

“This report uses a trusted, independent method to understand the full social value of the York Prospectus. For the first time, it shows the wider benefits these ambitions could bring, including the potential for over 40,000 construction jobs and 2,700 operational jobs. A total of £12.1bn social value with combined economic, environmental and social benefit, highlights the huge potential of York and the people and businesses who call it home.

“This feedback will help us take the next steps, working with partners and talking to potential investors so that we can attract the necessary funding to deliver these projects.

The economic side of things is also a huge focus, ensuring that any growth benefits everyone in the community.

Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of City of York Council with responsibility for Economy, added:

It’s official. Independent experts agree that York is the top-performing UK city for good growth and one of the country’s most dynamic business locations. Now we have a plan to ensure that prosperity can be shared, with wealth reaching deep into our communities.

“The York Prospectus aims to make sure everyone benefits from our economic success by making sure it locks in truly affordable homes, more well-paid jobs, better public spaces and tackling inequality.

“We can’t do this alone though. Delivering these projects will require significant private and public sector investment and we will work with partners across the city and beyond to explore all options available to us.

“We can all see huge investment is already underway in York, and with Northern Powerhouse Rail putting us back at the heart of the rail network, we are the place to be and the place to invest in.

What this means for the city of York

So, what does all this talk of 'social value' and 'economic growth' actually mean for people living in the city? It’s about making York a better place. The prospectus is clear that this isn't just about building shiny new offices. It’s about creating well-paid jobs so people can build careers here. It’s about providing genuinely affordable homes so that families can put down roots. And it’s about improving public spaces – maybe that means a new park for the kids, better cycle paths for getting around, or a new community hub.

The plan aims to blend the city’s rich culture and heritage with innovation. This means protecting the historic character of York that everyone loves while also investing in its future through things like better digital infrastructure and championing clean energy. The whole idea is that the economic success of the city should be felt by everyone, not just a few. It’s an ambitious vision for a city that offers a great quality of life alongside fantastic opportunities. This is about making York not just a beautiful historic place, but a thriving, modern city for the future.

What happens next?

This independent report is a big step, but it's not the finish line. The plan, or prospectus, is a call to action. As Councillor Kilbane mentioned, bringing this ambitious vision to life will need significant investment from both the private and public sectors. The council can't do it alone. The next step is a public decision session, which will take place on 3 February 2026, where the report will be officially considered. From there, the York Council will be working hard to talk to partners and potential investors, using this powerful report to show that York is a fantastic place to invest.

With big projects like Northern Powerhouse Rail on the horizon, the city is already seeing a lot of interest. This plan for growth is all about harnessing that momentum and directing it in a way that creates lasting social value and economic prosperity for the entire community. It’s about building on York’s reputation and making sure its amazing potential is fully realised.