The Selby District was chosen because it encompasses a wide range of varied landscape character types and designed landscapes make a significant contribution to the diversity of the area. There are considerable threats to these areas from intensification of arable cultivation, flood defence improvements which convert land to arable, expansion within the infrastructure corridor and quarrying.
46 sites were considered, see Selby District historic parks and gardens but the final list of sites was chosen because of their potential significance, possible threats, availability of archive material and remaining historic features.