Allies & Morrison and Arup’s plans to redevelop a 45ha swathe of York with 2,500 homes, new commercial and retail space and the expansion of the National Railway Museum have taken a crucial step forward.

The Ministry of Housing said the scheme – approved in principle by York council in March – would not face a planning inquiry because communities secretary James Brokenshire did not believe the move was necessary.

The proposals, which have been four years in development, have already attracted funding to the tune of £155m and the decision that they do not need to face an inquiry removes a potential delay of at least a year.

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