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17
Sept 2020
Devolution: good or bad for local voices in planning?
Residents groups in Harrogate are divided on whether devolution will increase the strength of local voice in the planning process.
Central government wants fewer, bigger local authorities as part of its plans to devolve power making.
North Yorkshire County Council has proposed creating one large authority that would serve all 610,000 people in the county besides York.
The seven district councils, including Harrogate Borough Council, have put forward an alternative east / west model that would result in two slightly smaller authorities.
Whatever happens will have major implications on how planning decisions are made in the district.
The Stray Ferret spoke to three local residents groups for their views.
Kingsley, Harrogate
John Hansard, from the Kingsley Ward Action Group, is worried that a larger authority would make it more difficult for the group's voice to be heard in the planning process.
Currently, housing decisions are made by HBC's planning committee, which is made up of local councillors. But Mr Hansard said that if a future planning committee were run from Northallerton, with members from places like Skipton or Scarborough, they wouldn't have the same local insight as HBC councillors have.
He said:
Read more:
Just 22 people tune into district’s first devolution event
Harrogate council backs £2bn devolution proposals
Harlow and Pannal Ash
Rene Dziabas, chairman of Harlow and Pannal Ash Residents Association (HAPARA), spoke in a personal capacity to the Stray Ferret and said he has become frustrated with how Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council pass issues back and forth. He said a unitary authority would improve accountability.
He said:
Mr Dziabas added that whatever organisation ends up taking control of Harrogate, they "must be more proactive" in taking on board the opinions of residents.
He said:
Ripon
Barbara Brodigan represents Ripon Residents Action Group and is mobilising local people against Homes England's 1,300-home proposal at Ripon Barracks.
She said Ripon felt left out of decisions made by Harrogate Borough Council:
Ms Brodigan said whichever devolution model was adopted, the voices of local residents must be heard.
She added:
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