PLANS for a £300 million development in Selby which would create 2,000 new permanent jobs for the district have been announced.

The Olympia Park development would also create up to 1,000 new homes on brownfield land currently owned by BOCM Pauls and Selby Farms.

The two groups have already invested more than £1million into the project, and plan to submit planning applications next autumn following public consultation in the New Year.

Geoff Gordon, chair of the Selby Chamber of Commerce, said: “Obviously the Chamber welcomes anything that brings more work and prosperity into Selby. I would ask people not to get too excited about it yet as it’s very early days in a long term strategy. I’ll believe it when I see it, because common sense tells you that any national house builders would all say it is not the best environment for building a thousand new homes.”

The development would be built between Barlby Bridge primary school and Selby bypass, and include warehouse and office space, a retail development and new pub, and space for a future hotel and retail development.

The plans for the development were drawn up by architects firm Spawforths, and Paul Betwell from the firm confirmed public consultation would begin in the New Year.

He said: “The consultation will begin at Barlby Bridge Primary School on Wednesday, January 19, between 4pm and 8pm.

“There will be an exhibition of the plans, and as much information available as possible.”