Vision for York 2032: Ten year plan includes green homes, poverty commission and sculpture trail

A ten year vision for York has just been published.

It sets out the ambitions of the city for residents’ health and wellbeing, the economy and jobs, education, transport and sustainability.

“The plan sets out a broad vision for the city, a set of shared priorities, goals and actions, together with actions the city partners have committed to deliver together,” a report to next week’s City of York Council executive meeting says.

Drawn up by the council with city partners after an 18-month consultation with residents and businesses, it has this mission statement:

York will be a vibrant, prosperous, welcoming and sustainable city, where everyone can share and take pride in its success.

Among the future milestones included in the report are

• the setting up of a Poverty Truth Commission – to tackle poverty which “affects nearly a quarter of our population”
• the adoption of an anti-racist strategy
• the largest archaeological excavation in York for 50 years
• the opening of York Central open spaces, the new NRM Central Hall, the Roman Quarter and a new station frontage
• green ‘passiv’ homes built at Duncombe Barracks, Burnholme and Ordnance Lane
• and the launch of the York Trailblazers sculpture trail.

York ten year plan – Milestones

2023	The Local Plan is adopted	25% increase in housing over the next 15 years.
2023	Launch of York Poverty Truth Commission	People with direct experience of poverty work with decision makers, sharing their knowledge about what’s truly needed to make change.
2023	Anti racist strategy, evidence base and recommendations published
2023	Work starts on a city wide plan to reduce feelings of loneliness and boost community participation	Reduce the proportion of adults who report feeling lonely from 25% to 20% of York’s population by 2032
2023	Launch of Institution of Health and Care improvement at York St John University
2023	York Station Gateway work begins on site	Better access, new public space, pedestrian friendly, a more welcoming gateway to York
2023	Duncombe Barracks first residents move in	34 passiv homes 40% affordable, 1 commercial unit
2023	National Railway Museum opens new gallery – Wonderlab	Inspiring future generations to consider science, technology and engineering roles
2023	Largest archaeological excavation in York for 50 years	Creating opportunities for all York school children to transform our understanding of the beginnings of the city.
2023	York Trailblazers community engagement begins	To discover and celebrate local heritage stories about people who are important to communities
2024	Castle Gateway	New public space
2024	Homes at Burnholme are available for residents	83 passiv homes, 40% affordable
2024	York Community woodland	210,000 trees are planted
2024	Ordnance Lane opens for residents	85 passiv homes, 40% affordable, 8 commercial units, 2 community facilities
2024	Haxby station opens for passengers	Welcoming commuters and passengers
2024	Mayor elected	York and North Yorkshire devolution unlocks £540m funding over 30 years
2024	Local Transport Plan	Developed at a regional level in collaboration with the Mayoral Combined Authority
2024	York Poverty Truth Commission begins to share findings	The commission’s feedback informs action to reduce poverty over the years ahead
2023	York Trailblazers sculpture trail launches	Discovering new interpretations to celebrate local heritage
2025	Investment into the Biorenewals Centre	Strengthening innovation and business growth in biotech

These are the five priority areas set out in the York ten year plan, and the expectations.

Health and wellbeing

“All York residents (young, old and future residents) will enjoy happier, healthier, longer lives, proud of their city and living in homes that meet their needs, able to actively participant in their communities, with access to the right support at the right time.”

Target: York’s gap in healthy life expectancy between the richest and poorest communities will have significantly reduced.

Education and skills

“All ages will have access to learning throughout their lives to equip them with the skills to succeed commercially and socially, locally and nationally.”

Target: York will be among the top 25% local economies for skill levels as measured by percentage of working age population who are qualified to NVQ Level 4 or higher. There will be ladders of opportunity for people to move on from precarious, low-skilled and low-paid work.

Economic growth

“York’s economy will be vibrant and inclusive with businesses supported to grow and prosper and talent nurtured, retained and supported.

“Our economy will be developed to be well balanced with a mix of different sectors providing opportunities for young and old.”

Target: York will be among the top 25% of local economies in the UK in terms of productivity, pay and skills. York will be among the top 25% most productive local economies as measured by Gross Value Added per hour worked, requiring a 3.8% increase in productivity.

Transport

“York’s transport networks will be inclusive and sustainable, connecting neighbourhoods and communities.”

Target: York will have a transport plan which enables and promotes modal shift to sustainable transport. Through the Plan, York will seek to minimise any negative environmental impacts of transport.

Sustainability

“York will be carbon neutral and contribute to the regional ambition to be carbon negative, with iconic green spaces to enjoy today and the environment protected for future generations to enjoy.”

Target: York will be among the first cities in the UK, and lead the region, to be carbon net zero, with carbon emissions reduced every year.

You can read the full report in the Executive agenda for the 15 December Executive meeting here.