The brownfield site is one of the UK’s largest city centre regeneration schemes.

John Sisk & Son is already onsite carrying out £135m of infrastructure works including 3km of new roads, footpaths, cycleways and two new bridges over the East Coast Main Line.

McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate will oversee the underutilised railway land being transformed into vibrant and distinctive residential neighbourhoods, cultural spaces, high quality public realm and a high-quality commercial quarter.

Robin Dobson, Group Property Director at Network Rail said: “This is a strategic step forward in the regeneration of over 110 acres of underused railway land to deliver significant investment and social value for the City and region.

“York Central puts infrastructure at the heart of a new residential, commercial, and cultural neighbourhood. The project demonstrates the pivotal role Network Rail Property can play in unlocking sites which deliver growth, jobs and housing.”

John Gatley, chief executive of McLaren Property, said: “We are proud to have been selected to deliver York Central – the most significant regeneration scheme in the north of England. McLaren have deep roots in Yorkshire, and we are committed to working with local stakeholders to enhance the great city of York.”

Allan Cook, founder of Arlington Real Estate, added: “Having spent the last 15 years focussing on the delivery of large scale mixed use development schemes in the North of England we have witnessed firsthand the positive benefits, to both communities and the local economy, of large scale regeneration.

“We are delighted to have been given the opportunity, alongside our partners McLaren Property, to be able to write the next chapter in the story of this great historic city.”

York Central is a 45-acre site, that will deliver up to 2,500 homes, 20% of which will be affordable and create up to 1 million sq ft of commercial space for offices, retail and leisure.