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11

Feb 2021

Last Updated: 11/02/2021
Environment
Environment

Calls for community involvement in Harlow Nurseries housing

by Thomas Barrett

| 11 Feb, 2021
Comment

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The local Green Party says a future housing development that will be built at Harlow Nurseries could be Harrogate's "flagship" community-led housing scheme.

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The local Green Party says a future housing development that will be built at Harlow Nurseries could be Harrogate's "flagship" community-led housing scheme.

Harlow Nurseries, next to the Pinewoods, is owned by Harrogate Borough Council and sells plants, pots and compost to the public.

However, the council's Local Plan says 40 homes can be built on the site with the nursery relocating if the development went ahead.

What is community-led housing?


Community-led housing developments are designed and managed by local people and built to meet the needs of the community, such as for more affordable or low-carbon housing.

Rebecca Maunder, Harrogate & District Green Party campaigner for Harlow says the site offers a "great opportunity" for the council to support community-led housing.

This means the council would offer the site to a community group rather than selling it to a property developer, who may choose to maximise the land for profit.

Ms Maunder wrote to HBC's director of economy and culture Trevor Watson calling on the council to explore offering the site to the community:

"The site provides an ideal opportunity for any new development to be led by the community for the community.
"The proximity to the Pinewoods means special consideration should be given to integrate it into the landscape, prioritising wildlife and biodiversity, alongside mental and physical health.
"Such a sensitive site would benefit from maximum community input and help to create a sense of ownership and full integration with the existing community and landscape."





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The council is moving forward with plans to develop the nurseries and has appointed three external consultants who will draw up a programme for what might happen to the site before the end of the year.

If the local community decided it wanted to get involved, it would first need to form a Community Land Trust (CLT).

HBC is able to issue financial grants to CLTs to help establish themselves and to conduct feasibility studies for potential schemes.

A HBC spokesperson said:

"We thank Harlow Greens for their letter and will respond shortly.
"We have now appointed a specialist to progress with masterplanning work on the three strategic sites allocated in our Local Plan.
"We will be working closely with them to engage with and involve key stakeholders and local groups to ensure we create the right type of communities for existing and future residents of the Harrogate district."