The application to construct a 195,000 sq ft government hub is being driven by the Government Property Agency. Designed by a team from Atkins, the six-storey building will feature solar panels, air source heat pumps and a green roof.

Construction costs are expected to be up to £60m.

York Central is one of the largest brownfield sites in the UK, and is located on the old goods yard site next to the city’s railway station.

It is is being brought forward by a collaborative partnership between Homes England, Network Rail, the City of York Council and the National Railway Museum. It will be developed by private sector partners McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate.

The hub will be built alongside the former goods yard building to become home of the National Railway museum

Mark Bourgeois, the GPA’s CEO, said: “We are delighted to achieve planning permission to develop this new facility, which will deliver a modern, inspirational and energy-efficient office development for up to 2,600 civil servants.

“The new hub will help to accelerate the York Central development, stimulate economic growth and investment in the North of England as well as supporting the transformation of the Civil Service.

“It’s another milestone for us at the Government Property Agency to deliver smart, modern, sustainable and digitally connected workplaces that focus on improving productivity and wellbeing.”