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10
Dec
480-home plan in Harrogate approved despite infrastructure fears
A plan to build 480 homes in western Harrogate have been approved despite fears over a lack of infrastructure.
Homes England tabled outline plans for the scheme on 68 acres of land between Otley Road, Beckwith Head Road, Howhill Road and Howhill Quarry Road.
Councillors on North Yorkshire Council’s strategic planning committee approved the proposal today (December 10) at a meeting in Northallerton.
However, residents raised concerns over a lack of infrastructure and “no meaningful engagement” with local people.
New access roads will be built off Otley Road and Beckwith Head Road and a roundabout constructed at the junction of Otley Road and Pot Bank, one kilometre to the west of the site, to accommodate the extra traffic.
It would also incorporate football pitches, a cricket pitch and pavilion, car parking, landscaping and open space. Up to 192 homes would be allocated as affordable.
A map of the site.
Matthew Ridge, of Homes England, told the committee the site was allocated for development in the Harrogate District Local Plan and had already been established for residential use.
He said:
This application is another step forward to delivering the homes that Harrogate needs and is the result of several years of collaborative working between Homes England, the council and key stakeholders.
The application forms part of wider plans for 4,000 homes on land allocated for housing in south and west Harrogate.
Both residents groups, such as the former Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association, and parish councils raised concern about a lack of infrastructure in the area to cope with demand on roads and local health services.
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A representative from Haverah Park with Beckwithshaw Parish Council told the committee today that residents felt there had been no meaningful engagement with them over the housing scheme.
He said:
This application together with the other developments in the western arc of Harrogate constitutes the biggest change of population and character of the area for many decades.
This is because we are in essence adding a small town to the west of Harrogate without the supporting infrastructure. Yet, despite this happening, there has been no real meaningful engagement with the wider community.
Gerard Walsh, the council’s planning officer who recommended the plan for approval, told councillors that the council had met with residents groups and parish councils over the west of Harrogate parameters plan.
But Cllr Andy Brown, the Green Party councillor for Aire Valley, said he was concerned that the council had not “met properly” with local residents on multiple occasions.
He said:
I’m flabbergasted that we have not met properly with the local communities on multiple occasions. It’s painful to do and it’s difficult, but it improves planning.
Cllr Bob Packham, Labour councillor for Sherburn in Elmet, pointed out that the application was an outline proposal and had been allocated in the local plan which had “been through massive consultation”.
He said:
I do not think we need to be taking too much time over details on this. It’s an outline application on land that has already been allocated.
Councillors approved the proposal unanimously.
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