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19
Sept
Explained: What are the major plans for the former Flaxby golf course?
Six years after a High Court battle over whether or not to turn the site into thousands of new homes, major plans have been revealed for a former golf course in Flaxby.
Scarborough Group International and Greyfriars Investments are assessing the 270-acre site off the junction 47 of the A1(M) for potential development.
But, the plans are very different to that proposed in 2020 and aim to tackle a shortage in employment sites.
The Stray Ferret takes a closer look at the new plans and what they could mean for the Harrogate area.
What are the plans?
Scarborough Group International and Greyfriars Investments have partnered to work on fresh plans for the former golf course site.
The move would largely see the changed for employment space.
According to the group’s consultation site, the land is earmarked for a new employment destination, providing modern space for businesses alongside new landscaping, transport infrastructure and environmental improvements.
In total, approximately 810,000 sq ft of employment floorspace is proposed.
The developer is working on a hybrid application to North Yorkshire Council, which will include detailed proposals for the first phase of development with outline proposals for additional employment space within the application area.
The first phase would cover 99.6 acres to the east of the site.
In the initial phase, the group proposes 475,000 sq ft of industrial and logistics employment space across three buildings roughly in the zone of the former driving range next to the A59.
Layout for the scheme at Flaxby. Picture: Scarborough Group.
The developer said the phased approach would help to bring forward longer-term plans for the rest of the site.
It said:
Given the scale and complexity of the wider site, a phased approach allows development capable of being delivered in the shorter term to progress while longer-term proposals continue to evolve through the Local Plan process.
The approach also allows infrastructure, technical assessment and investment to be planned and delivered in a proportionate and coordinated way.
It would also include a transport and mobility hub, which would see bus facilities, cycle parking, EV charging and passenger drop-off facilities created.
What about the rest of the site?
The rest of the site is being promoted separately through the North Yorkshire Local Plan, which North Yorkshire Council is currently drawing up.
However, the developer said it has a “wider vision” for Flaxby Park, which includes a “mixed-use destination incorporating employment, leisure, sport, green infrastructure and other complementary uses over time”.
Why is this being proposed?
The Scarborough Group argues that North Yorkshire and the surrounding area has a lack of employment land.
The proposal focuses specifically on industrial and logistics, which it says will help to create future employment lots.
Former Flaxby Golf Course. Picture: Scarborough Group.
The developer said North Yorkshire faced a shortage of "modern employment space", which means reduced investment into the county's economy.
It added that the Flaxby site was "well-placed" to address this need due to its proximity to junction 47 of the A1(M).
The developer said:
North Yorkshire faces a shortage of modern employment space and industrial and logistics accommodation, with demand continuing to exceed available supply.
Many businesses are unable to find the premises they need to expand within the county, while opportunities to attract new investment are often constrained by a lack of suitable sites. As a result, jobs, investment and economic activity that could be created in North Yorkshire are often lost to competing locations elsewhere in the region and beyond.
This means fewer opportunities for local people, less support for local supply chains and reduced investment in the county’s economy.
Given its location next to Junction 47 of the A1(M), Flaxby Park is well placed to help address this need.
According to the plans, the developer estimates that the proposal could support between 1,075 and 2,090 jobs once the sites are fully occupied.
This would include operational, logistics and support roles.
What happens now?
An online consultation into the plans is being held, which will run until October 7. People can have their say on the proposal here.
A public exhibition will also be held on Wednesday, September 23, at Goldsborough Cricket Club, Main Street in Goldsborough, between 3pm and 7pm. Members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the proposals.
No plans have been submitted to the council for the site. However, the developer said it anticipates submitting a hybrid application to the authority before the end of the year.
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