Sewell Advisory highlight huge potential of York's plan for growth
A Sewell Advisory report has highlighted the benefits of York’s plan for the future.
An ambitious strategy outlining plans for growth, with innovation, culture and heritage at its heart, could bring about £12.1bn of combined social, economic and environmental impact to the city, according to independent analysis carried out by the team at Sewell Advisory.
In November 2025, Executive members at City of York Council approved York’s prospectus, which is designed to attract additional investment into economic and housing growth, tackle inequalities, provide clean energy as well as improve the environment and digital and transport infrastructure.
After this approval the council commissioned Sewell Advisory, an independent consultancy, to conduct an assessment of economic and social value analysis of the prospectus. That report will be taken to a public meeting next week.
Councillor Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council said:
“In November last year we approved an ambitious long-term plan for York’s future, providing a practical framework for delivery shaped by local priorities.
“This report uses a trusted, independent method to understand the full social value of the York Prospectus. For the first time, it shows the wider benefits these ambitions could bring, including the potential for over 40,000 construction jobs and 2,700 operational jobs. A total of £12.1bn social value with combined economic, environmental and social benefit, highlights the huge potential of York and the people and businesses who call it home.
“This feedback will help us take the next steps, working with partners and talking to potential investors so that we can attract the necessary funding to deliver these projects.”
Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of City of York Council with responsibility for Economy said:
“It’s official. Independent experts agree that York is the top-performing UK city for good growth and one of the country’s most dynamic business locations.
“Now we have a plan to ensure that prosperity can be shared, with wealth reaching deep into our communities.
“The York Prospectus aims to make sure everyone benefits from our economic success by making sure it locks in truly affordable homes, more well-paid jobs, better public spaces and tackling inequality.
“We can’t do this alone though. Delivering these projects will require significant private and public sector investment and we will work with partners across the city and beyond to explore all options available to us.
“We can all see huge investment is already underway in York, and with Northern Powerhouse Rail putting us back at the heart of the rail network, we are the place to be and the place to invest in.”
Issy Whitelock of Sewell Advisory, who worked on the project, said:
“In order to help City of York Council find the economic, environmental and social value their growth strategy will bring, we needed to undertake a comprehensive review of the data, map it to strategic outcomes, and quantify the social value created. The resulting report gives an independent assessment of the forecasted results of the plan, giving the authority confidence that their plans will bring extensive benefits to the city over the next 25 years. We’re looking forward to seeing their ambitious plans starting to take shape.”
The report will be discussed at a council session in February.