York's economy could get a major boost if members of City of York Council's Executive agree to innovative plans to attract and deliver major developments to the city (17 November).

The council has been working with the Regional Development Agency - Yorkshire Forward - and English Heritage to look at how best to further enhance the long term sustainable development and economic viability of the city.

Members will be asked to approve a three-step plan:
1. Creating an economic masterplan for the city - funded by Yorkshire Forward - to attract investment for the sustainable development of sites in York.

2. Create a 'York Renaissance team', with six specialist posts, including regeneration and landscape architects, designers and heritage experts to help progress major developments. The posts would be largely funded by Yorkshire Forward, with English Heritage part-funding the heritage role.
3. Developing a Regeneration Academy in York to enhance the regeneration skills of existing staff. Yorkshire Forward would also fund this initiative.

Jan Anderson, Executive Director of Environment at Yorkshire Forward commented;
"York has some great opportunities ahead of it. This three-step plan will enable the City to join Yorkshire Forward's ongoing region-wide Renaissance programme, which is committed to creating Great Places through economic development. 

"The Renaissance programme is developed in partnership with each local authority to establish a bespoke package of support and funding to drive the delivery of improved strategy, skills and capacity within place-making and economic development."

Neil Redfern, Team Leader, Advice and Grants for North Yorkshire and the City of
York, English Heritage commented: "English Heritage welcomes these plans and the importance placed on the city's historic environment in helping to deliver them. York has a world class historic environment which is a key driver for the economic vitality of the city. Ensuring heritage is at the heart of new development proposals is key securing the continued sustainable development of the city."