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22
May 2023
Controversial 53-home Harrogate scheme recommended for approval
Council officers have recommended a controversial plan to build 53 homes off Knox Lane in Harrogate is approved next week.
North-east property developer Jomast's planning application for the Bilton area was deferred for a second time in February this year.
At the time, councillors requested new reports and information about ground contamination and overhead power lines.
However, a report published today in advance of the Harrogate and Knaresborough area constituency planning committee meeting on May 31 has recommended the plans are approved subject to conditions.
Among the conditions is that Jomast would be required to pay £64,000 for healthcare, £140,000 for education and £60,000 for open spaces in the form of a section 106 agreement to compensate for the impact of development on local infrastructure.
The homes would be built off Knox Lane.
The application in the quiet Knox area has proved controversial with residents.
Read more:
- Controversial Knox Lane housing plans recommended for approval
- Contamination concerns delay decision on 53-home Knox Lane site
- Stray Views: Knox Lane housing scheme ‘lacks detail’
Campaign group Keep Knox Natural has previously called on the council to remove the parcel of land from the Harrogate District Local Plan 2014-35, which outlines where development can take place.
Cllr Robert Windass, a member of the council’s planning committee, previously called for an independent survey into contamination into the site.
Cllr Windass raised concern that a previous survey into the site was paid for by the developer and requested that an independent report was drawn up.
He told a committee in February:
Councillors will vote on Wednesday next week whether to accept case officer Andy Hough's recommendation to proceed with the scheme.
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