The Cabinet Member Signing meeting on Monday 20 July 2026 noted the approval by the Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy to commence a tendering process for a contractor to build an artificial grass pitch at the Selby Urban Village development. This decision was made to secure grant funding from the Football Foundation and to provide much-needed all-weather sports facilities in an area of high socioeconomic deprivation.

Selby Urban Village Artificial Grass Pitch

The Cabinet Member for Placemaking and Local Economy approved the commencement of a tendering process for a construction works contractor for the Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP) at the Selby Urban Village development. This decision will see the use of the Football Foundation's AGP Framework for the procurement.

The Selby Urban Village development, located in Upper Edmonton¹, is a significant project that includes 202 new Council homes, a commercial unit, a community building, a changing pavilion, and enhanced park and sports facilities. The construction of the main Selby Urban Village development was previously approved by Cabinet Member Signing on 19 February 2026.

The Council has secured grant funding from the Football Foundation to help finance the construction of a 3G artificial grass pitch (AGP) as part of the enhanced sports facilities. This all-weather pitch is intended to provide year-round access to multi-sports facilities, addressing a significant unmet demand for artificial pitches in the east of the borough. This area is noted for its high socioeconomic deprivation, and the new facilities are expected to improve the health and wellbeing of local residents and communities through sport and physical activity.

A key condition of the Football Foundation's grant funding is that the AGP must be delivered by a works contractor appointed through a mini-competition under the Football Foundation's AGP Framework. The estimated contract value for these works required approval to begin a procurement exercise, a decision delegated to the Cabinet Member in accordance with the Council's Contract Standing Orders (CSO). The estimated cost for the AGP procurement and delivery was already included within the overall Selby Urban Village Phase One project budget, which was approved in February 2026.

The procurement programme for the AGP is aligned with the main works delivery contract, with the site scheduled to be handed over to the AGP contractor in December 2026. The award of the contract for the AGP works contractor is anticipated to be brought forward for approval in November 2026. To facilitate access to the AGP Framework, the Council signed a Framework Joining Agreement with the Football Foundation in May 2026.

Alternative Options Considered:

• Do not tender for AGP works: This option was discounted as it would have meant not meeting the Football Foundation's grant requirements, thus forfeiting the funding. The AGP is also a crucial component of the Selby Urban Village's sporting commitments.
• Deliver natural grass pitches rather than a combination of natural and artificial pitches: While environmental considerations for artificial grass pitches were reviewed, this option was rejected due to the limited capacity of natural grass pitches. Sport England has noted that a properly maintained artificial grass pitch can sustain up to 80 hours of use per week, compared to just six hours for a good-quality natural grass pitch. The Selby Urban Village development aims to provide both natural grass pitches for cricket and football alongside the 3G pitch to enable year-round sport and improve community health outcomes.
• In-house delivery of AGP works: The Council does not currently possess the necessary capacity, specialist expertise, or qualifications to undertake the AGP construction works. Furthermore, this approach would contravene the Football Foundation's grant requirements, preventing the drawdown of funding.
• Invitation to tender via the LCP Framework: This route would not satisfy the Football Foundation's grant conditions, therefore preventing the Council from accessing the available grant funding.

The report highlighted that the Selby Urban Village project is a partnership between the Council and The Selby Trust², a local charitable organisation, aimed at transforming the Selby site and Bull Lane Playing Fields into a new neighbourhood. The development includes Phase 1, which delivers a new community building, a pavilion with changing rooms, and improved park and sports pitches, and Phase 2, which will provide the 202 new Council homes and a small commercial unit.

The scope of works for the AGP includes drainage, pitch sub-base and kerbing, surfacing and marking, perimeter fencing, floodlighting, hardstanding, and the installation of sports and maintenance equipment. Groundworks and wider utilities connections are being handled by the main Selby Urban Village works contractor. The anticipated programme for procurement and delivery of the AGP is from July 2026 to June 2027, with early beneficial use expected in June 2027.

The project is expected to contribute to the Council's Corporate Delivery Plan 2024-2026 by enhancing resident experience, responding to the climate emergency through efficient floodlighting and sustainable drainage, providing much-needed homes, and supporting the local economy through construction jobs and improved community facilities. The engagement process for the Selby Urban Village has involved extensive community consultation, with a particular focus on reaching under-represented groups and ensuring accessibility.