07
Apr
Stray Ferret calls on public to help us investigate housing deals in Harrogate district
The Stray Ferret is launching a major investigation into money paid for infrastructure improvements when new housing developments are given the green light.
Under what's known as Section 106 agreements, housing developers have to give the council money to build new infrastructure such as playgrounds, cycle paths and schools.
But do we get what is promised and is it value for money? We are about to investigate whether or not we do, and we want to hear from you.
We know the explosion of new home building in the area is a subject that hugely matters to readers.
With Labour planning to build 1.5 million new homes, and North Yorkshire Council drawing up a new local plan that outlines where the homes can be built, the subject is even more relevant and timely than usual.
Special journalism award
We've been awarded a grant by the Public Interest News Foundation to carry out our investigation.
The foundation supports impartial journalism that informs the public about issues that matter.
It created a new award scheme to support public interest journalists in bringing important stories to life and the Stray Ferret was among nine media organisations selected after we pitched our proposal.
Tamsin O'Brien, director of the Stray Ferret said:
We'd like to thank the Public Interest News Foundation for awarding us the ability to carry out an extensive examination of specific new housing developments in the Harrogate area.
The Stray Ferret newsroom has a continual stream of queries from local people about new housing developments.
People are anxious about the volume of house building and the lack of infrastructure to accommodate extra residents.
The grant means we can look at certain large developments in real detail with an aim to answering some of the questions we are asked.
We'll take a very close look at what's been promised when the development is given the go-ahead and what is delivered.
We want to speak to residents and experts in this area for a series of articles looking into how the agreements work and whether communities get value for money.
We will focus on individual case studies as well as look at the broader issues and opinions.
If this is something you would like to be involved with, either individually or through a group such as your local parish council, please get in touch by emailing us at contact@thestrayferret.co.uk .
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