New multi-million pounds scheme to bring park homes and work opportunities

A multi-million pounds development in Yorkshire will provide 168 new park homes, along with new roles on site and during construction.

The transformation of land on which a mushroom farm once stood, will include a reception building, shop and meeting area, public and private amenity space and a village green.

Gateforth Park near Selby will be developed by York House Leisure, who run retirement and holiday parks across Yorkshire and Scotland.

The company will transform the 45-acre site into an environmentally-friendly park to include water features, lakes, and other measures aimed at enhancing biodiversity.

Facilities in the nearby village of Thorpe Willoughby will be easily accessible on foot from the site.

There will be four to six operational jobs created on the park, with many more during construction. In line with the sustainable nature of YHL’s plans, during the construction phase the many acres of existing hard standing will be recycled on-site and re-used on the project.

In recent years Boroughbridge-based company YHL has made significant investment in its parks, achieving a number of accolades, including Sir David Bellamy's Gold Award for enhancing and protecting the natural environment.

Director of York House Leisure, Phil Brierley, said: "Despite the derelict state of Gateforth Park as a consequence of various acts of vandalism and fly-tipping, we recognised the potential of the site.

"Its great location and attractive environment offers us the opportunity to create a very special retirement village, and to really enhance the surrounding area.

"We are absolutely delighted that our plans for Gateforth Park have been approved and we can’t wait to start work on the site."

Christopher Harrison, an agricultural and landed estates partner with Andrew Jackson Solicitors LLP, who led the legal team that advised YHL on its acquisition, said: "The site was only attractive to a client who could see beyond its current state and realise the development opportunity for the community of what is a well located and potentially attractive site."