Interested in advertising with us?

Advertise with us

Thank you for your interest in this story.

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week.

    Already a subscriber? Log in here.

    12

    Apr 2022

    Last Updated: 12/04/2022
    Business
    Business

    Government rejects expansion of Follifoot business park

    by Calvin Robinson

    | 12 Apr, 2022
    Comment

    0

    The site owners said the new units would help to meet demand from businesses for more space and took the case to the government's Planning Inspectorate.

    follifootbusinesspark
    Follifoot Ridge Business Park and the plot of green belt it proposed to build new commercial units on.

    The government has rejected an appeal for a business park in Follifoot to expand onto green belt land.

    Harrogate Borough Council initially rejected a bid to build two new buildings at Follifoot Ridge Business Park, which would have created space for five commercial units.

    The development would have taken place on a small strip of land alongside existing units (pictured above), which were previously allowed because they were classed as farm conversions.

    The site owners said the new units would help to meet demand from businesses for more space. Following the council's refusal, Uffa Kirkby appealed to the government’s Planning Inspectorate.

    But Robert Walker, the planning inspector who oversaw the appeal, said the harm to the green belt was not outweighed by the economic benefits of the scheme.

    In his decision notice, Mr Walker said:

    “Based on the evidence before me and for the reasons outlined above, I cannot be satisfied that the overall benefits clearly outweigh the substantial weight given to the harm to the green belt by reason of inappropriateness.
    “I have come to this conclusion having regard to the importance that the government places on making efficient use of land and building a strong, competitive economy.”





    Read more:






    In June last year, the council’s planning committee said the proposal was “inappropriate” and harmful to the green belt.

    However, ahead of the appeal, the developer argued that the scheme was not inappropriate and disagreed with the authority’s conclusion.

    How the business park would look with the commercial units built on the green belt land.

    How the business park would look with the commercial units built on the green belt land.



    The business park’s planning agent, ID Planning, said in a statement of case:

    “The appellant disagrees with the reason for refusal based on the development being inappropriate as the site is not brownfield land.
    “The appellant considers that the site is brownfield land but notwithstanding this considers the development comprises limited infilling.”


    It added that the scheme had economic benefits and would not have an “impact on the openness of the green belt”.

    “The development provides clear economic benefits set out in full in the planning statement and supported and acknowledged by the local planning authority which further support the appellants case for planning permission to be granted.”