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23
Feb 2022
Council approves long-awaited West Harrogate Parameters Plan
Harrogate Borough Council has approved a long-awaited plan that aims to solve how the west of Harrogate’s roads, schools and health services will cope with 2,000 extra homes.
The West Harrogate Parameters Plan will be used to identify what infrastructure is required and to help assess the planning merits of future developments in the area.
Council officials devised the document following discussions with the county council, developers and site promoters, along with community groups, parish councils and stakeholders.
Cllr Tim Myatt, cabinet member for planning, said the plan would ensure "we have the necessary infrastructure to support these future communities on the west side of Harrogate".
He said it included two new primary schools, four playing pitches and two new local centres for shops and health services, as well as land designated for employment, new cycle lanes, footpaths and bus routes.
Cllr Myatt added:
Beckwithshaw is set to see an increase in through traffic due to new housing on Otley Road.
The council added that the document was designed to help “support the sustainable and coordinated” development of future homes in the west of Harrogate.
Council to draw up infrastructure strategy
Now the plans has been approved, the council will begin preparing a West Harrogate Infrastructure Delivery Strategy (WHIDS) that will provide more detail about infrastructure requirements for West Harrogate and the associated cost.
It will include a review of existing capacity and timings for the phasing of key infrastructure, including education provision, health and wellbeing services, water and drainage, sport and playing fields provision, highways and open space.
Read more:
- Infrastructure plan for 4,000 homes in west Harrogate ‘a missed opportunity’
- Harrogate council exceeds house-building targets by almost 1,700 homes
The plan is due to be completed in May and will also be used to inform section 106 agreements paid by developers to fund infrastructure associated with their schemes.
Cllr Don Mackenzie, executive councillor for access at North Yorkshire County Council, said the authority would continue to support the borough council on infrastructure.
He said:
Residents remain unhappy
However, David Siddans, secretary of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service previously:
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