A year of change for Selby
It was November last year that Selby District Council launched its ambitious plan to support business investment and housing growth – and there’s been significant work over the past twelve months.
Building on its position at the heart of Yorkshire, the area has a number of regionally significant investment sites. They’re set to deliver thousands of new jobs. The Council’s been working alongside developers to bring these forward. During the year it’s also set out ambitions plans for housing and to raise the profile of the area as a visitor destination.
In January Selby District Council announced a £22m fund to support new affordable homes. This investment is being used to make the most of land the Council already owns, working alongside the Selby & District Housing Trust. This Trust was created by the Council to help deliver new homes. Recently, new affordable properties have been completed at Riccall, half way between Selby and York.
The Sherburn2 development, which is set to deliver around 2,000 new jobs, has been a high profile site during the year. In spring it was visited by Northern Powerhouse Minister, Jake Berry, because of its significant location just to the east of Leeds. The first occupiers for the new site, Cromwell Polythene, were announced during the summer.
It was also a busy summer at some of the area’s other strategic investment sites. At Church Fenton – a former RAF airfield situated between York and Leeds – plans have been submitted to develop a hub for creative industries. This builds on the existing Yorkshire Studios at the site, which have been used for the filming of ITV’s hit drama series, Victoria.
As Gascoigne Wood, a site with existing rail connections directly onto the transpennine route, a very different proposition has been put forward. Plans have been drawn up to support new business investment with opportunities to link manufacturing businesses directly to the national rail network.
Alongside support for these strategic development sites, the Council has also been working to develop the area’s visitor economy. This builds on the district’s position within easy reach of York and with direct links from Leeds and Hull. This work will directly support a range of existing businesses.
The Council has already agreed to invest in bringing next year’s Tour de Yorkshire to Selby as a race start or finish. Tadcaster is also involved in next year’s UCI cycling world championships as a race start. Both will help to significantly raise the profile of the district. Alongside this, the Council’s supporting celebrations to mark the 950th anniversary of Selby Abbey in 2019, with a series of events planned to bring in visitors.
