MORE than a dozen new riverside homes could change the face of a Selby street.

Plans have been submitted to Selby District Council for 13 new three-storey homes to be built on a derelict site at Bridge Wharf in Ousegate.

A report submitted with the plans, by Colton Property Development Ltd, states that the new properties would “take advantage of a time-limited funding opportunity”, which could see redevelopment start by autumn.

The development would mean Ousegate – which currently only has buildings on the opposite side of the road from the River Ouse – would be turned into a street with developments on both sides.

The report said: “The development of the site as proposed, will undoubtedly have a significant impact on Ousegate by replacing an open – though derelict – site with built development.

“This will have the effect of turning Ousegate from a ‘one sided’ street with a continuous built frontage only on its south side into a more traditional street with built development on both sides.

“This fundamental change in the character has, however, been implicit in the council’s objectives for this part of the waterfront dating from the early 1990s.”

The report warns that if the funding offer is not used, “the future use and/or redevelopment of the site will remain uncertain for the forseeable future”.

It also claims developers have already had pre-application discussions with “senior officers of the council”, to discuss the most appropriate design and materials, and also with the Environment Agency.

The plans are due before the council’s planning committee.