Step Into the Future of Selby Park: Virtual Reality Event Invites Community Input

Plans to breathe new life into Selby Park, one of North Yorkshire’s historic gems, will soon be unveiled in an innovative public consultation. Residents are invited to step into the future with virtual reality headsets at a drop-in event at Selby Abbey on February 8, from 10am to 3pm, to explore potential designs for the park’s regeneration.

As part of the Selby Abbey Quarter, which includes the marketplace, Micklegate, Station Road, and the bus station, Selby Park boasts a rich history dating back to the 1930s when it was part of the grounds of Selby Abbey. Features such as the bowling green, bandstand, and war memorial highlight its heritage, but North Yorkshire Council believes the park has untapped potential.

Selby Park as it appeared around the 1960s. The photo is part of the Bertram Unne photographic archive. Photo credit: North Yorkshire County Record Office

Align Property Partners, the council’s building design consultancy, has developed initial design ideas supported by £150,000 from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Mayoral Investment Fund. Visitors to the consultation can use virtual reality technology, provided by Digital Urban, to fully immerse themselves in the proposed transformations.

Simon Maybey, Director of Digital Urban, explained: “Using the latest virtual reality technology, visitors will be able to walk around and explore the park as a group and see examples of some of the design ideas. We’ll also have desktop versions with gamepad controllers and an interactive media table to support group discussions. This suite of tools creates a fun and exciting engagement process.”

The feedback gathered during the event will help finalise designs and shape future funding applications for Selby’s regeneration.

An aerial shot of Selby Park showing Selby Abbey

Cllr Mark Crane, North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for open to business, is keen for residents to share their views. “Selby Park is an important asset to the town, but it certainly has potential for improvement,” he said. “We want to protect and showcase its heritage while enhancing its leisure facilities and amenities. The ultimate goal is to create an exciting and accessible park for everyone.”

The initiative has also received support from local representatives and community leaders. Cllr Jack Proud, member for the Selby East Division, said: “Selby is at the forefront of projects in North Yorkshire. This is a great opportunity for locals to shape the future of an area that has been overlooked for too long.”

A laser scanned image of Selby Abbey. A technology company, Digital Urban, has scanned and digitally modelled Selby Park and its surrounds in 3D to provide visitors to a public consultation with a fully immersive experience

The Rev Canon John Weetman, vicar of Selby Abbey, added: “Selby is fortunate to have a public park in the town centre, yet it often goes unnoticed. Enhancing its appearance and facilities will make it a valuable asset for locals and visitors alike.”

The Selby Park regeneration is part of a broader strategy to revitalise the area. North Yorkshire Council has secured £25.4 million from the Government’s Transforming Cities Fund, which will integrate Selby Rail Station with new housing and employment developments through improved cycling and walking routes.

Don’t miss this chance to experience the future of Selby Park and have your say in shaping its transformation. For more information, visit www.northyorks.gov.uk.

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