MULTIMILLION-pound plans that could create up to 1,000 jobs in Selby were unveiled today.

Bosses at BOCM-Pauls factory, in Barlby Road, have submitted an outline planning application to Selby District Council for more than seven acres of land near Barlby roundabout.

The proposed development includes a 60-bedroom hotel, pub, shops and drive-through restaurant on the doorstep of the new £41 million bypass, which is now under construction.

BOCM-Pauls said today the scheme would earn them enough money to kick-start "phase two" of their plans, which included a massive project on 70 acres of land to the south of the Leeds to Hull railway line.

The scheme is proposed for spare land at the factory, but will not affect its operation.

The factory's engineering and technical manager, Ian Bithell, told the Evening Press that the phase two proposals would include light industry, business units and warehousing.

He said the company was trying to make the most of the opportunities afforded by the new Selby bypass, which would open up large tracts of employment land.

Mr Bithell said: "We will be looking for partners to develop phase one. It will also improve the gateway into Selby from the north and, hopefully, pull more people into the town.

"There's a shortage of travel lodge-style accommodation in Selby and this hotel will sit right at the side of the bypass.

"We are hoping work will start before the end of the year."

He said BOCM-Pauls had "substantial" plans for the 70 acres of unused land to the south of the railway line.

The outline plans they have just submitted include a flood risk assessment because parts of the site were under water during the November 2000 deluge.

Brian Marshall, a member of Selby District and Barlby Parish Councils, said: "Anything that brings work into Selby has to be good news.

"The mines could close at any time, and we need to be ready with replacement jobs."

Selby MP John Grogan said BOCM-Pauls' plans were concrete proof that the bypass could bring substantial economic benefits.

He said: "This area has the potential to become as much of an economic hotspot as the Sherburn industrial estate."

Updated: 15:16 Monday, April 08, 2002