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21
Apr 2022
Final backing for 72 homes in Spofforth
A plan to build 72 homes in Spofforth has been given final backing by councillors.
Yorkshire Housing Ltd plans to build the housing development on land at Massey Fold in the village.
A government planning inspector approved the homes in October 2021 following an appeal by the developer against Harrogate Borough Council’s refusal.
The developer already had outline permission to build on the site, but councillors turned down an application for appearance and landscaping in November 2020.
A reserved matters application, which includes access to the site, was backed by the authority’s planning committee today.
Cllr Robert Windass, who sits on the committee, said councillors had no choice but to approve the plan.
He said:
Meanwhile, Cllr Pat Marsh said:
Inspector backs Spofforth homes
Siobhan Watson, a government planning inspector, gave the go-ahead for the proposal in October after she said she found the design and proposed housing “to be acceptable”.
She also awarded costs against the council after finding that the authority “behaved unreasonably” and that its reasons for refusal were “vague and illogical”.
The decision followed concerns from local residents over the design and that the housing would not be in keeping with the village.
At the time, more than 300 local people and organisations, including Natural England and Yorkshire Wildlife Trust, raised concerns about the scheme.
Shirley Fawcett, chairman of Spofforth with Stockeld Parish Council, wrote to Prime Minister Boris Johnson appealing for help in challenging the development.
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