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26
Feb
‘An isolated development’: Harrogate Town Council objects to 320-home plan
Harrogate Town Council has formally objected to plans to build 320 homes.
Taylor Wimpey tabled the proposal to North Yorkshire Council for a 54-acre site off Penny Pot Lane — opposite the Queen Ethelburga’s and King Edwin Park developments — in January.
The development would include properties ranging from one- to five-bedroom homes, with 40% allocated to affordable housing.
In a press statement at the time, Taylor Wimpey said the scheme would also include a mobility hub to promote sustainable travel and significant green open space.
However, at a Harrogate Town Council planning committee last night (February 25) councillors voted unanimously to object to the plans.
Killinghall Parish Council has also objected to the scheme, which straddles both Harrogate and Killinghall. You can read more about the proposed development here.
Paul Frewin, a resident who lives nearby the planned scheme, told last night's meeting there was “absolutely no way” that the scheme was a form of sustainable development.
He told councillors last night that the site was subject to a similar scheme for 350 homes, which was rejected by the former Harrogate Borough Council in February 2018 for several reasons including the visual impact.
Mr Frewin said:
Taylor Wimpey have come back with basically no mitigation to the concerns of the planning authority. In the ensuing eight years, they have done nothing apart from reduce the number of houses by 30.
121 objections
Other residents pointed out that the area needed investment in road infrastructure, had no shops and lacked a frequent bus service, which would lead to new homeowners relying on cars.
Concern was also raised over a lack of street lighting and no cycle lanes.
At the time of writing, 121 letters of objection have been submitted to the council against the planned scheme.
Yorkshire Water has also objected to the scheme on the grounds of flood risk, pollution and that "public health may all be negatively impacted".
Meanwhile, NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board raised concern that scheme would have an "impact on local primary care services" and requested £262,707 in developer contributions to increase capacity at local healthcare practices.
The plan for the site.
Cllr David Allardyce, a Liberal Democrt who represents Bilton Grange ward on the town council, said the development would do little to enhance the landscape and, in turn, would not enhance Harrogate.
He added that the lack of amenities, such as shops, would leave the development “isolated”.
Cllr Allardyce said:
There’s no local shops nearby within walking distance. It’s another estate that is quite isolated away from the community.
I think it raises a number of concerns. I can’t see how it would enhance Harrogate in any way.
Councillors voted unanimously to object to the plans amid concerns over landscape, highways, lack of public transport and infrastructure for local services.
Taylor Wimpey presented the proposals at a Harrogate Town Council planning committee in September 2025.
The company also distributed 3,000 leaflets to nearby residents, which included feedback forms.
James Smith, strategic land and planning director at Taylor Wimpey, said in January the developments "aims to deliver a sustainable mix of much-needed new homes to help with Harrogate’s chronic lack of new homes".
Mr Smith added:
"With many young people struggling to gain a foot on the housing ladder, as well as growing families and downsizers lacking high quality options, we believe this proposal off Penny Pot Lane would have significant benefits locally."
North Yorkshire Council will make a decision on the plan at a later date.
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