The Langwith Village masterplan is online: a new A64 junction, a Hull Road link and one line on buses. What the Local Plan says the buses must do.

The developers of Langwith Village have published the first plans for York’s 3,339-home garden village, and getting in and out of it is the biggest question. The plans show how cars will reach the site in some detail. Buses get a single line.

The consultation boards went online this week on langwithvillage.com. Comments are open until Monday 30 November. The site is on land west of Elvington Lane, partly on the former Elvington Airfield, south-east of the city.

What the plans show for roads

The highways board sets out two ways in (consultation boards):

  • A new grade-separated junction on the A64, to the north-west of the site. This is the main access.
  • An eastern access from Elvington Lane, with a new roundabout on the lane.
  • A new link road and junction onto the A1079 Hull Road, so traffic from the eastern side can reach Hull Road without using Elvington Lane all the way.
  • A spine road across the site joining the A64 junction to Elvington Lane, with segregated cycle routes alongside it.

What the plans say about buses

The connectivity board lists eight things the masterplan “provides the opportunity to deliver”. One of them is “new and enhanced bus connections and routes”. The boards name no route, no frequency and no park and ride link.

The developers’ FAQs say the plans include “public transport connections and improvements to the wider transport network”, and that detailed transport assessments are still being done (FAQs).

Langwith Village connectivity plan. The site is shaded pink, with a new spine road connecting the A64 to Elvington Lane, a new connection to the Hull Road at the top, Long Lane continued as a cycle-only route to Elvington Lane, a new active travel route to Elvington, and potential future connections north to York Sport and the University and south to Wheldrake
The connectivity plan from the consultation boards. The board labels the Hull Road link "A179"; its highways board names the road as the A1079. Image: via the Langwith Development Partnership

What the Local Plan says the buses must do

The consultation plans are an early draft, but the bus requirements are already set. Policy SS13 of the City of York Local Plan, adopted in February 2025, requires:

  • frequent public transport through the whole site, linking the village centre to York city centre and the University of York
  • a public transport hub with waiting facilities for residents
  • a Sustainable Transport Strategy, aiming for upwards of 15% of trips by public transport

The plan’s explanation goes further. It suggests a south-east to north-west bus route through the site, so that every part of it is within 400 metres of a route. It says such a route could also serve Elvington if it were extended there. And it says the phasing should allow buses “from initial stages”, with the development “pump-priming new services”.

Local Plan Policy SS13 Consultation boards, October 2026
Bus service Frequent, through the whole site, to the city centre and university “New and enhanced bus connections and routes”
Distance to a bus route All of the site within 400m (supporting text) Not stated
Public transport share Upwards of 15% of trips Not stated
When buses start From the initial stages Not stated
Main road access New A64 junction New grade-separated A64 junction

Elvington Lane and the cycle routes

Residents of Elvington and Wheldrake have most to gain or lose here. The Local Plan says initial modelling suggests Elvington Lane can take about 1,000 homes, roughly 30% of the village, and only with the Hull Road link and work south of the Grimston Bar junction. Development relying solely on Elvington Lane “would not be supported”.

The boards say plainly that there is currently no walking or cycling link from the site to Elvington or Wheldrake. They propose:

  • a direct walking and cycling route through the site to Elvington, using Long Lane
  • Long Lane continued as a cycle-only route to Elvington Lane
  • stronger Minster Way and Langwith Stray routes along the northern edge
  • land safeguarded for possible future links north to the University of York and York Sport Village, and south to Wheldrake

The Local Plan also rules out any vehicle access from the new village into Heslington along Common Lane, Long Lane or Langwith Stray.

Schools and timing

The FAQs say the plans include two primary schools, nurseries, sports facilities and neighbourhood centres, with land safeguarded for a possible secondary school. Talks with NHS partners about health facilities are continuing.

The developers say the first phase could begin from around 2028, subject to planning. The boards say they expect to submit the outline planning application to City of York Council “at the end of the year”.

What it means for you

  • Have your say by 30 November. The boards, an interactive map and a feedback form are on langwithvillage.com. Postal comments go to FAO Social Communications, Cubo, 6 Wellington Place, Leeds LS1 4AP.
  • If buses matter to you, ask for the detail now. The policy wants buses running from the first phase. The consultation does not yet say which route, how often, or when. Those are fair questions to put in a response.
  • Elvington and Wheldrake residents: the 1,000-home limit on Elvington Lane and the Hull Road link are in the Local Plan. The council can hold the developers to them.
  • This is not the planning application. Comments now go to the developers. The council’s own consultation, and its decision, come after the outline application is submitted.

Our earlier story has the background, the Local Plan’s other requirements and the history of the site: Langwith Village plans out for consultation. Every live York scheme is on our planning news page.

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