The ‘hidden gem’ UK town getting a long-awaited £32,000,000 transformation

Selby is located in North Yorkshire, around 14 miles from York (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Selby might not shout the loudest about its charms, but this North Yorkshire market town has built a loyal following thanks to its historic streets, riverside scenery, and growing independent food scene. And now, a huge regeneration scheme is set to reshape the spot, which has previously been voted one of the best places in the UK to live, and was hailed as one of the region’s top ‘hidden gems’. After several false starts and years of waiting, the £32 million Selby Station Gateway project is at last moving forward, with construction due to begin at the end of May. This first phase of a wider Vision for Selby redevelopment aims to modernise the area around the station, with better public transport links, improved access for pedestrians and cyclists, and new public spaces designed to better connect it with the rest of the town. The town is getting a major revamp (Picture: Getty Images) Plans for the scheme — led by North Yorkshire Council alongside the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Network Rail and TransPennine Express — have been in the pipeline for years, with the first public consultation taking place back in 2019. Ready to start your homebuying journey? You can access completely fee-free mortgage advice with London & Country (L&C) Mortgages, a partner of Metro. Customers benefit from: – Award winning service from the UK’s leading mortgage broker – Expert advisors on hand 7 days a week – Access to 1000s of mortgage deals from across the market Unlike many mortgage brokers, L&C won’t charge you a fee for their advice. Find out how much you could borrow online Mortgage service provided by London & Country Mortgages (L&C), which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (registered number: 143002). The FCA does not regulate most Buy to Let mortgages. Your home or property may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. Construction had originally been expected to begin in October 2025 before being pushed back again to March 2026, after protected bats living on part of the site reportedly caused one of the latest hold-ups. In the coming weeks however, residents should finally see diggers on site. Initial works, anticipated to take 12 months, will involve demolishing several unused buildings around the station and replacing with a new car park and improved infrastructure into the town centre. Passengers can also expect a fully remodelled bus station, new accessible routes to train platforms, and a public plaza connecting the station directly to nearby Selby Park. But while works had initially been expected to finish by autumn 2028, the repeated delays mean there’s now no confirmed completion date for the project. Selby at a glance Selby is a historic market town in North Yorkshire, England, situated on the River Ouse. It’s located approximately 14 miles south of York, 26 miles east of Leeds, and 162 miles north of London. Selby Abbey is the town’s focal point (Picture: Getty Images) Transport links: Selby is well connected for commuters, with direct train services to Leeds, York, Hull and Manchester. By car, the town sits close to the A19 and M62, making it possible to reach Leeds in around 40 minutes and York in roughly half an hour. Things to do: The town’s biggest landmark is Selby Abbey, a stunning medieval church dating back almost 1,000 years which was the birthplace of King Henry I. There are also riverside walks along the River Ouse, independent cafés, pubs and craft beer bars, plus nearby nature spots including Skipwith Common National Nature Reserve. Councillor Malcolm Taylor, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for transport, described the development as a ‘major investment’ for the town, while MP Keir Mather said it would ‘bring massive improvements, through better connectivity… and by making the centre of Selby more beautiful.’ Proposals for future phases suggest even more transformation ahead too, including a new eco visitor centre and outdoor performance space set for Selby Park, alongside an ‘an urban village of around 1,000 new homes’ to be built over the next 10 to 15 years in the ‘Selby Station Quarter’ neighbourhood. A site at Crosshills Lane, North West of town centre has also been allocated in the Local Plan for up to 1,270 homes, as well as open space, community, education and local shopping facilities. House prices in Selby Big upgrades like this often have a ripple effect on the local property market — particularly in towns that already appeal to commuters — as faster, easier access to stations, refreshed public spaces and new local amenities attract both buyers and businesses alike. For Selby, this could mean renewed interest from househunters looking for affordable homes within reach of Leeds and York. According to Rightmove, the average house price in Selby over the last year was £204,781 — significantly lower than nearby York, where the figure sits at £333,188. You can get a lot of property for your money here (Picture: Christopher Furlong/Getty Images) Terraced homes in the town remain particularly popular with first-time buyers (which sell for an average of £169,422), while families are drawn to larger detached homes on newer developments around the outskirts. Although prices have dropped slightly, now 2% down on last year and 2% down on the 2022 peak, this wave of investment could shift the dial — which means Selby may not stay one of Yorkshire’s best-value commuter towns for long. Experts at local estate agent JP Harll say the pace of the market here has eased ‘compared to the madness of 2021 and 2022′, which gives buyers’breathing space to assess, compare, and homes negotiate a good deal.’ Deals of the Day K-beauty is taking over skincare in 2026 – and this new serum is leading the way The best outdoor candles to buy now for alfresco dining and bug-free nights This tablet recreates the feeling of writing on paper – without the mess Shopping for new bedding? Simba Sleep’s latest launch has options for every sleeper Buy one, get 50% off – stock up on SPF for less with iHerb's limited time deal However, they warn: ‘Do not mistake calmer for easy. The best Selby homes are still drawing strong interest, and hesitation can cost you.’ Do you have a story to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk. Arrow MORE: Demolition of block of flats on hold because one tenant refuses to leave Arrow MORE: London ‘dump’ crowned England’s most appealing neighbourhood to live in Arrow MORE: Plans for London’s ‘very own Trump Tower’ in aptly named Trumpers Way The Key Sign up for must-read property stories, DIY hacks and tips for buying a home.