Selby Magistrates Court building to become flats

The former magistrates’ court in New Street has been empty since it closed in 2013, and was bought by HW Investments Limited.

The site was originally two separate houses and was converted to a courthouse in the early 1980s, before £1m was spent refurbishing it and making it accessible to all.

This week, plans have been submitted to Selby District Council to transform the three-storey building into 16 flats, a mixture of one, two and three-bedroom apartments.

Part of the rear of the building is already in the process of being demolished, and an external stairway, corridor and chimney will also be removed for the redevelopment.

A report submitted to the council along with the plans said “the conversion of the former court house will bring a large building on the edge of the town centre back into active use”.

Developers also said the redevelopment “will go towards adding to the supply of dwellings in Selby”, and will “go some way to improving the character and appearance of the property in the streetscene” of the town.

The development will retain the current parking spaces at the courthouse for residents, and will see railings installed around the building, along with a pair of secure metal gates at entrances to the building.

Developers called the plans “ a relatively modest proposal”, and said the redevelopment would have “at worst a neutral impact on heritage assets”, as most of the works would be internal, while the external works removed more modern additions.

So far, no objections have been logged against the plans, though John Drewett of the North Yorkshire Bat Group requested a survey be carried out prior to the development.