Residents in Burton Leonard are “about to erupt” over a housing development which they say has breached planning conditions around the invasive plant Himalayan balsam.
Chartford Homes has planning permission to build 31 homes at Flats House in the village but an ecology report found there is an infestation of the plant on the site. Himalayan balsam is infamous for its impact on the environment and its explosive seed heads spread very easily.
According to Harrogate Borough Council planning documents, there is a condition attached to the development that says there must be an exclusion zone to remove the plant before construction can begin.
However, Keith Townson from Burton Leonard Parish Council told the Stray Ferret that construction workers were ignoring this for weeks and potentially spreading Himalayan balsam around the village.
Mr Townson said HBC’s planning enforcement department has been “as much use a chocolate fireguard” and called on them to pause the development until the problem is dealt with.
He said:
“Once you know there’s an invested area you have to fence it off but they’ve had trucks and land rovers through it. We’re worried it will spread all over the village. They were supposed to have a tyre washing but they’ve not got that in place either.
“It’s disgraceful. Harrogate Borough Council is allowing the developers to ride roughshod over planning conditions.”
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Harrogate Borough Council said: “We have attended the site, spoken to the developers and the parish council and can confirm there are no further issues at this time.”
Chartford Homes declined to make a comment when asked by the Stray Ferret.
