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24
Sept
Spofforth housing plan sparks nearly 400 objections
Nearly 400 formal objections have been made against controversial plans for 210 new homes near Spofforth.
The 13-hectare site lies within the former Harrogate district – so legally in North Yorkshire – but in practice would form an extension of Wetherby, which is in West Yorkshire and served by Leeds City Council.
The land, to the north of the A661 road between Harrogate and Wetherby, is on the edge of the Spofforth Park residential development by Bellway at Ingbarrow Gate.
Hallam Land Management, which is based in Sheffield, submitted the proposal to North Yorkshire Council in June 2025.
Residents are concerned about the impact on traffic and the character of the area.
At the time of writing, 371 objections have been submitted to North Yorkshire Council over the plans.
The proposed development would be on the edge of Wetherby, but falls within North Yorkshire.
The latest resident to oppose the plan, Cllr Penny Stables, who represents Wetherby on Leeds City Council, said the “potential environmental impact” of the scheme remains unresolved.
She raised concern over foul water infrastructure at the site and the wider housebuilding in Wetherby.
She said:
There is also a wider cumulative issue. Significant housing development is already being built around Wetherby, and there are proposals for further development across the North Yorkshire boundary which may rely upon infrastructure serving the wider Wetherby area.
The council should therefore understand the combined pressure of this growth on wastewater infrastructure rather than considering each development in isolation.
Decision deferred
It comes as councillors on North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee deferred a decision on the plans at a meeting on August 11 amid late representations on the proposals.
A visual of the homes from a bridleway off Harrogate Road, as included in the plans.
In a planning statement supporting the application, development consultancy Lichfields, acting on behalf of the applicants, pointed out that there is a presumption in favour of sustainable development set out in the National Planning Policy Framework.
However, many objectors said the plan would see residents rely on Wetherby for roads, schools and amenities rather than North Yorkshire. One resident said the scheme would lead to "the death of Wetherby”.
Leeds City Council also objected to the plan and raised concern that the site would primarily affect Wetherby’s housing need.
In the report before a council planning committee meeting, Sam Binney, case officer at North Yorkshire Council, pointed out that the area had a “a significant shortfall in housing land supply”.
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