York and Selby among the most popular places to live in the UK

In a survey carried out by property company Savills, York was ranked in eighth place with Selby at twentieth in the top 20 property locations.

Gillian Cruddas, chief executive of Visit York, said the news was something residents in the city should be proud of.

She said: “York provides a vibrant mix of stunning architecture and contemporary culture with excellent transport links, as well as being named as the UK’s friendliest city in which to live in 2010. “So many of our visitors tell us how much they would like to live here and that is definitely something that everyone living and working in the city can be proud of.”

Ben Pridden, of Savills in York, said: “An excellent road and rail network, a 1,000 year old abbey and a market town feel mean Selby and its surrounding villages such as Wistow, North Duffield and Cawood remains high on smart buyers’ lists.”

The research focussed on the more affordable areas of the housing market across the UK and compared current housing market prices with the property market peak in 2007.

Researchers found the number of homes being bought and sold in Selby is at 59 per cent of the 2007 peak, compared with the national average of 54 per cent, and house prices in the region were also above the national average of £166,764, at £174,424.

Mark Crane, leader of the council, said the research proved what most Selby residents already knew: “The findings will not be a surprise to people who live here.

“I have long said this is a great place to live, work and bring up a family, and the research which puts us in the top 20 in the country is a really good news story for people in the district.”

Coun Steve Shaw-Wright said: “Selby’s housing offers just about everything the house buyer could want, town centre waterfront apartments, new starter homes, lots of fine large family Victorian homes to high-end individual properties.

“Selby town has a thriving market and lots of cultural activities at the town hall, an outstanding college and some top class schools, so I am not surprised that Selby is bucking the national trend. It’s a cracking little town at the centre of over 80 parishes and hamlets.”

York up for gold award

YORK will find out next week whether it has won the gold award in the national Britain in Bloom competition.

Judges for the contest, run by the Royal Horticultural Society, will tour the city to run the rule over its floral displays, green spaces, neighbourhoods and streets and assess how communities have got involved.

The two judges, Roger Burnett and Nigel Bishop, will visit sites including New Earswick, Low Moor Community Kids’ Allotment, York St John University, the Eco Depot and York Racecourse next Thursday and speak to residents and local schools.

York in Bloom co-ordinator Liz Levett, said: “Once again, the city is looking fantastic and everybody has been working hard to get York in tip-top condition for the day.

“The floral tubs, hanging baskets and barrier baskets are at their best this year, but the competition is not just about flowers. It’s about us all being proud of York and our own local areas.”