THE LONG-DELAYED Olympia Park development in Selby is one step closer to reality, after the government approved funding of £8.9 million.

The former BOCM Pauls site in Barlby Road was approved more than three years ago for a development which could create 1,000 new homes and jobs - but has been empty and derelict ever since.  

On Thursday, the government approved a bid by Selby District Council to help pay for new infrastructure at the site, with the creation of a new link road from the Selby bypass, with an aim to encourage investment in the scheme.

Council leader Mark Crane said: "It’s got massive potential for us to deliver new homes and business growth.

"I know that people will have been wondering what’s been going on at the site for some time. With this significant investment from the government we’ll be able to push ahead with making this site viable for development."

The bid was submitted by the council with the York, North Yorkshire and East Riding Enterprise Partnership (LEP), and funding will come from the government's Housing Infrastructure Fund - a £5bn scheme to create new homes where they are most needed.

Chair of the LEP’s Infrastructure Board, David Dickson, said: "Olympia Park is one of the most significant brownfield regeneration sites within our area. This funding award is a massive step towards delivering large numbers of new homes and jobs on the site. This LEP has also earmarked additional Local Growth Fund money to make sure strategic priorities like Olympia Park come forward quickly to provide the housing and business growth that we need."

Nigel Adams, MP for Selby and Ainsty, said he had written to ministers to support the bid.

He said: "It’s fantastic news that the government has agreed to provide this huge cash injection for the area. I believe that Olympia Park will bring substantial benefits to Selby and the wider constituency including housing and commercial development. I want to thank ministers for listening and I look forward to seeing progress soon."