Council gives unanimous approval to £23M Selby Station Gateway project

Selby District Council planning committee has voted unanimously in approval of the “transformative” £23M Selby Station Gateway project, which will see the Grade II listed station building replaced, a new station plaza constructed, accessibility improvements and new active travel connections put in place.The project is being funded by a chunk of West Yorkshire’s £317M Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which comes from the Department for Transport. The project has been promoted by Selby District Council alongside North Yorkshire County Council and is being overseen by West Yorkshire Combined Authority.Listed building consent was needed because the mid-20 th century station building is Grade II listed, plus the development sits in the Selby Conservation Area and it will have an impact on the setting of a number of listed buildings. This was granted as the current building “does not reflect historic railway architecture” and the planned improvements to the station and surrounding area are considered to be sympathetic to the local character while having substantial benefits to the conservation area and setting of the surrounding listed buildings.The new station building will be a pavilion style, single-storey building constructed from brick with glazed curtain walling to front and rear and a dark grey standing seam meal pitched and flat roof. Rooflights and clerestory windows will allow natural light to enter the building and allow for views through to the platform canopies and footbridge. It will provide a ticket office, waiting area, café, a taxi office and covered cycle storage.The cast iron canopies on the station’s platform will not be affected as the new building will tuck underneath them.The Selby Station Gateway Transforming Cities Fund development will also include:This will involve the demolition of the Selby Business Centre adjacent to the station to clear the way for the new plaza and connecting to an active cycle path through Selby Park, better connecting the station and the town.The Railway Social and Sports Club building will also be removed to make space for the improved bus hub.Selby District Council planning committee vice chair Dominic Richardson said: “I’m pleased to support this application. This project is a significant investment in the town from central government which will regenerate many parts of the town, not just the station. When you look at the proposals of the new station building, you realise the existing station building is long overdue an update. Of course there are areas where the scheme could have gone further, but this is the proposal that is achievable given the grant monies that are available at this time.”The committee members voted unanimously to approve the scheme.Like what you’ve read?