Subscribe to trusted local news
In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.
- Subscription costs less than £1 a week with an annual plan.
Already a subscriber? Log in here.
30
Nov
Our idyllic, rural area is under threat, say Knox Lane residents as another 60 homes loom
Residents say plans for 60 homes and a new road off Knox Lane in Harrogate could ruin the "idyllic" feel of the area.
Developer Avant Homes, in conjunction with housing association Yorkshire Housing, wants to build on land to the south of Knox Lane.
Representatives of both organisations held a public consultation at The Knox pub on Wednesday (November 26) ahead of a formal planning application being submitted.
The scheme would consist of one, two, three and four-bed affordable homes to the rear of Knox Sawmills.
If approved, it would be the second major housing development in the area, after Teesside developer Jomast was granted planning permission to build 53 homes on Knox Lane last year.
Residents at the consultation event told the Stray Ferret they had concerns about issues such as congestion and the environmental impact as well as the cost of their homes.
One couple, who asked not want to be named, said they had lived on Knox Lane for five years and the scheme would be an “absolute disaster” for residents, wildlife and surrounding green spaces. They said they were so upset they have considered moving.
The woman said:
We’ve felt so depressed about this, we have been looking on Rightmove. We were already concerned once the Jomast site went through, but we thought it might be alright because our house looks over opposite fields. But when we found out about this, we just thought this isn’t where we want to live anymore.
“It’s selfish, but our house will lose value because we will be looking at a housing estate”, the man added.
The land at the south of Knox Lane is just behind Knox Sawmills.
'Traffic is bad enough'
Another local couple, Fran and Paul Manby, who have lived in the Knox Lane area for almost 50 years, said the proposal would “make a huge difference” to the volume of traffic.
Ms Manby feared the scheme – and the Jomast development – would “change the whole feel of the place from an idyllic, rural area" to somewhere that is “very busy and not as pretty to look at”.
Another long-time resident, 82-year-old Jill McCullagh, told the Stray Ferret the proposal wouldn’t drive her out of the area, but she shared traffic concerns.
“The traffic is bad enough as it is”, she said.
The proposed site layout of the Avant Homes scheme.
'Chronic under-provision of affordable housing’
The residents also raised concerns over additional pressures on local schools and GPs, but Avant Homes told the Stray Ferret it will submit a section 106 agreement – a legal agreement between councils and developers, under which housebuilders provide financial contributions to offset the impact of development.
Chris Lacey, group head of affordable housing at Avant Homes, said this would identify "any enhancements we’d need to contribute to”, including healthcare, education and community facilities.
John Tuner, associate transport planner at TPS Consultants, which will draw up a travel plan for the scheme, said new residents would be offered an annual bus pass - or the equivalent value to, for example, buy a bike - to alleviate congestion.
Developers rarely submit plans for 100% affordable housing schemes. Cat Gare, head of land at Yorkshire Housing, said it had identified a “chronic under-provision of affordable housing” across the county, including in Harrogate.
She added:
Half of the homes will be shared ownership… so for people who can’t necessarily afford a 10% deposit in such a high value area like Harrogate, and the other half will be social rental homes, so for people on council waiting lists.
It will look the same as any other open-market scheme – it would not look like an affordable housing scheme or like those 1960s council estates.
Mr Lacey told the Stray Ferret that Avant Homes will consider feedback from North Yorkshire Council and residents, and will aim to submit a formal planning application around Christmas time.
0