A MAJOR development that could have delivered hundreds of new homes and jobs for Selby district is off the cards for at least five years, it has emerged.

The 92 hectare former BOCM Pauls site on Barlby Road, Selby, has lain empty and derelict for years, but a major redevelopment scheme known as Olympia Park was to have transformed the site with more than 800 new homes and create scores of new jobs.

The government’s Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) has been involved, along with both the area’s Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), and talks have been going on since planning permission was granted more than three years ago.

However, the district council has now confirmed the ambitious plans are unlikely to come to fruition soon.

Dave Caulfield, director of Economic Regeneration and Place at Selby District Council, said the planning permission remained in place for Olympia Park’s 863 new homes and “significant new business space”, but the five-year timescale was unfeasible.

He said: “There are a number of key sites for major house building in our area and we’re working with the landowners to ensure they are delivered. At Olympia Park we continue to work with the landowners, the Homes and Communities Agency and both Local Enterprise Partnerships to unlock development of this strategic site.”

A key report linked to the development of Selby’s Local Plan - which should set out where homes can be built and businesses expanded in the district in coming years - now takes Olympia Park out of contention for the next half-decade.

Mr Caulfield said: “The five year land supply report reflects that as of today the site is not deliverable – however if funding to unlock the site can be secured from the HCA and LEPs - which would be subject to competitive bidding - then it is feasible that we could see development start within this five year period.”

Before the development can start in earnest, the council and the developer need to release funds to create a new bridge and road at the site.

As recently as November last year, the council said considered Olympia Park to be one of its priorities, and said work was still going on in the hope of getting construction started.

In 2014, a total of £11 million in Government grants and loans was confirmed in the hopes of getting the development off the ground.

But the proposals have already faced several hurdles, including a break down in negotiations between key parties at the end of last year.

The York, North Yorkshire and East Riding LEP have also referred to Olympia Park as “the highest risk” of the projects it is involved with.