We stand at a crucial moment for the future of health, wellbeing, and community spirit in Selby. On Wednesday, 12th March 2025, the Selby and Ainsty Planning Committee will make a decision on our application to build a dedicated athletics facility at land off Friars Meadow. As we approach this decision, we want to reiterate the profound and lasting positive impact this project will have on our community.
For the past four years, Vale of York Athletic Community, a registered charity, has been dedicated to improving the physical and mental health of Selby residents. We’ve proudly offered a wide range of weekly athletics activities for children and young people, many from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Our work has included hosting summer camps in areas of deprivation and partnering with Selby Town Council to provide athletics activities at their annual Family Fun Day. We also collaborate with local GP surgeries and service providers through our Green Social Prescribing program, “Move More Outdoors,” connecting people to nature through exercise.
However, our greatest limitation has been the lack of suitable, all-weather facilities.
This new purpose-built athletics facility is not just about sport; it’s about creating a community health and wellbeing hub that addresses critical needs:
- Unlocking Potential for Young People: We currently have a waiting list of over 100 children eager to participate in athletics but cannot due to the lack of facilities. This new space will provide a safe and inspiring environment for them to discover their potential and thrive.
- Supporting Health and Wellbeing: This facility will be a vital space for individuals struggling with their health to find support through exercise and connection with nature via our green social prescribing initiatives.
- Inclusivity for All: Crucially, this development will allow us to accommodate individuals with disabilities, whom we currently cannot support.
- A Hub for the Community: We envision this as a place where the community can come together through sport and exercise, fostering stronger connections and a greater sense of belonging.
Our proposal has received significant support, with 94 supporting comments and no objections from any statutory consultees, including Highways and Ecology. This demonstrates a clear recognition of the need and benefits this facility will bring to Selby.
We have listened carefully to the concerns of residents and are committed to managing them effectively. Our plans include:
- Implementing our existing online booking system with the potential for electronic gating to control site access.
- Appointing a dedicated liaison officer to address any residents’ concerns promptly.
- Promoting active travel, car sharing, and public transport through our “Going for Green” pledge and by providing bike storage.
- Staggering start and end times for sessions to avoid traffic congestion.
- Restricting the facility to training purposes only, with a maximum of 24 athletes per session.
This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide Selby with the high-quality community sports facilities it desperately needs. We urge the Planning Committee to look beyond the technicalities and consider the real-world impact this facility will have – a place for children to discover their potential, a space for people to find health and support, and a hub for our community to come together.
We are ready, with our dedicated team of 20 qualified volunteer coaches and leaders, to make this vision a reality. We hope that on Wednesday 12 March, the decision will reflect the overwhelming support and the immense benefits this Athletics Facility and Community Health and Wellbeing Hub will bring to our town. Let’s make it happen.
