Councillors have given the green light for 64 homes to be built at Church Farm in Tockwith, despite passionate pleas from objectors.
Harrogate Borough Council’s planning committee met this afternoon via Zoom and voted by seven to four for the application to be deferred to the chief planner for approval, subject to a Section 106 agreement and an ecology report.
The development was brought before the planning committee in January but was deferred after concerns were raised around the density of housing. Since then, York-based developer Mulgrave Developments reduced the number of homes from 68 to 64.
Cllr Norman Waller, ward member for Marston Moor, said the strength of feeling against the development from Tockwith residents was so strong that to approve it would “show local democracy at its worst”.
The site is allocated within HBC’s Local Plan for 53 homes and Cllr Waller said the extra 11 homes were a “stab in the back” to the local community.
He also criticised the design of the homes, suggesting the development could become the “slums of tomorrow”.
He said:
“The design is totally bog-standard, unimaginative and doesn’t represent housing styles in Tockwith conservation area.”
Another objector, Mr Pozman, pleaded with councillors to reject the application, saying it “rides roughshod over the principle of conservation.”
He said:
“The development would obliterate the landscape setting of our village. Please don’t let the developers destroy the character of Tockwith forever.”
Mark Blaine, speaking on behalf of the developer, said the updated plans are “more spacious and have reduced density”. He also said the houses are built to the “highest standard of materials and design”.
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Cllr Pat Marsh asked why no energy statement had been submitted as part of the application. She said she was “very unhappy” with the way the council is currently dealing with environmental and sustainability issues surrounding housing.
In response, Mr Blane confirmed that no energy statement was submitted as there was no requirement to do so.
Nicholas Turpin, planning officer at HBC, added that until the council has a supplementary planning document in place regarding greener housing, it doesn’t have the ability to refuse an application on that basis.
A Section 106 agreement includes what the developer will pay towards local infrastructure such as roads or schools.
