The strategic development partners behind the York Central regeneration project have appointed CHY Consultancy to support the delivery of social impact for the scheme.
Established in 2006, CHY Consultancy has extensive experience in helping built environment organisations get better at delivering social value.
Director Rob Wolfe will be working alongside Principal Social Value Consultant Holly Onstenk, with the support of the wider team, to lead the design, delivery and measurement of social impact through each development stage of the York Central project.
This full cycle, integrated approach is hoped to position York Central as a leading example of what can be achieved for local communities and economies when social impact is foundational to a significant local development.
Rob Wolfe, Director of CHY Consultancy, said: “The developer’s decision to take a holistic approach to social impact allows us to weave leading practice and innovation into every stage of York Central’s development.
“This gives us a fantastic opportunity to optimise the benefits of a huge, landmark development for local people and the local economy – creating a legacy that will endure for years to come. It’s an exciting time for CHY and for the City of York. We’re really looking forward to seeing what can be achieved.”
Karen Stafeckis, Development Director for McLaren Regeneration, one of the strategic development partners for the York Central project, added: “One of the key principles behind the York Central vision is to leverage the opportunities of this significant development for the benefit of the existing communities and local businesses.
“The appointment of CHY Consultancy will help us to focus on quality social outcomes and identify areas where we have the most opportunity to achieve positive change.”
York Central is also supporting the York Community Fund and has committed £150,000 in funds to local good causes in the next three years. This fund has already helped a wide variety of local good causes and organisations, and a second round of funds will be available from August this year.
York Central is one of the largest brownfield sites in the UK and has the potential to generate up to 6,500 jobs. It is predicted to grow York’s future economy by 20%. The new city quarter development is being led by McLaren Regeneration and Arlington Real Estate, which is working with the wider York Central Partnership of Homes England, Network Rail, National Railway Museum and City of York Council.
