There are new signs of life at Harrogate's Kingsley Drive development site, more than 18 months after plans were approved.

The 162-home scheme proved to be one of the most controversial housing developments locally – and was fiercely contested by residents.

People raised concerns about congestion and traffic flow, as well as additional pressures on local schools and healthcare services.

But the former Harrogate Borough Council granted Persimmon Homes permission to build the houses in February 2023, after the firm's original plans for 181 homes in March 2022 were rejected following more than 200 letters of objections.

The Stray Ferret has followed the saga closely and in January this year reported fencing had been erected around the land.

A contractor on site suggested at the time construction was likely to begin soon after but when the Stray Ferret returned six months later, little had changed. 

In fact, some dog walkers had taken down one of the fencing panels and continued to walk their dogs on the land.

The Stray Ferret visited the Long Lands View development site again yesterday (October 14) and found work was underway. Some of the ground had been dug up and contractors were on site.

We contacted Persimmon Homes – which is seeking approval to display two flagpoles, a v-stack board and two leaderboards at the site – for an update.

Lisa Jones, Persimmon’s West Yorkshire sales director, told the Stray Ferret: 

Nearby resident and former member of Kingsley Ward Action Group, Stephen Marshall, told the Stray Ferret work had started at the site a few weeks prior.

He said he has not received any updates from North Yorkshire Council or Persimmon Homes recently, however. 

Plans and payments

The Kingsley Drive development will be made up of one, two, three and four-bedroom homes.

According to Persimmon’s plans, the first 92 homes will include air source heat pumps that will provide 100% of the heating and hot water.

The remaining properties will have conventional gas boilers, but the developer said they will be supplemented by solar panels and wastewater heat recovery. 

The scheme will also include 65 affordable homes, with a mix of rental properties and shared ownership. 

Developers are required to work through a series of conditions outlined in section 106 agreements before work can get underway.

Section 106 agreements are payments made to local authorities to mitigate the impact of homes on local services.

In this instance, Persimmon Homes agreed to pay more than £1 million to local schools and the healthcare sector. 

According to a previous report by planning officer Kate Broadbank, Persimmon will pay £600,000 to Grove Road Primary School and £400,000 to Harrogate Grammar School, Harrogate High School and Rossett High School, as well as a further £120,000 for early years provisions.

The developer also pledged to pay £220,000 to the NHS to cover healthcare costs, £150,000 towards re-surfacing Kingsley Drive, and an £80,000 contribution towards a new mini roundabout at the junction of Kingsley Drive and the A59.

The Stray Ferret covers the topic of housing extensively. Last week, we published a four-part investigation into the lack of affordable homes in Nidderdale.

We also looked at what Labour’s ambitious new housing target could mean for our local area, and whether North Yorkshire is ready for what could be a mammoth increase to its housing target. 

Feel free to have your say on the development using our comment section below. If you feel you have a pressing issue or a unique story, you can email us on contact@thestrayferret.co.uk.