A report being considered today says that “York’s compact size, competing demand for site/land uses and the historic nature of the city’s traditional core means that green- and brownfield opportunities for commercial development are limited.
Nevertheless, major regeneration opportunities such as York Central and The Guildhall, as well as the Hudson Quarter development, offer sizeable growth opportunities for York’s economy”.
The comment is in response to what the government describes as “local industrial strategy”.
The report goes on to identify the strengths of he York economy
York’s economy is diverse and rapidly growing with the city witnessing the fastest productivity growth of any area in the region since 2012. The York Council has identified five key growth sectors based on existing strengths and assets. These are:
- Rail engineering and technology;
- Digital and ICT;
- Financial and professional services;
- University-led innovation and training; and,
- Bio-tech (particularly at start-up phase).
“it is important that these sector strengths are supported to prosper, as well as the city’s lower-paid, high volume industries (retail, hospitality, tourism and health and social care)”
The York and North Yorkshire strategy is summarised as inclusive growth, the use of digital technology to transform York and North Yorkshire into a ‘Smart region’.
The Leeds City Region – which includes York – priorities are:
Supporting businesses to meet the challenges of the future economy and create good quality jobs, to support progression and promote inclusivity;
- Accelerating economic growth across the City Region through technology and innovation;
- Building on the successes of our globally important healthcare sector as a source of good jobs and growth;
- Making sure our environment promotes healthy, active lifestyles and is fit for future generations to enjoy; and,
- Skilled people, in good jobs, with access to training to help build and sustain their careers
The “strategy” is due to be discussed at a meeting being held in York later today
