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    22

    Sept 2021

    Last Updated: 21/09/2021
    Environment
    Environment

    'It's hugely disappointing': Knaresborough affordable homes refused

    by Thomas Barrett

    | 22 Sept, 2021
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    Knaresborough Community Land Trust applied to build the homes on the high street in response to concerns that high property prices are making the town too expensive for many local people.

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    Knaresborough Community Land Trust's bid to build affordable apartments on the town's high street has been refused by Harrogate Borough Council.

    The not-for-profit group wanted to build the housing because it believes Knaresborough has become too expensive for local people to live.

    Three homes would have been built on a disused plot of land that once housed a public toilet near Knaresborough House.

    The CLT would have owned the homes and rented them to local people at below the market rate.

    Innovative design


    The plans received support from Knaresborough Civic Society, which praised their "innovative design".

    However, Harrogate Borough Council planning department disagreed this week and said the proposal would harm Knaresborough Conservation Area.

    The council also refused the application because of the loss of open space and seven trees. The CLT had planned to replant 14 trees at alternative locations in town.

    Hilary Gardner, secretary of Knaresborough CLT, told the Stray Ferret the refusal was "hugely disappointing", particularly as the council had initially offered it the plot to build affordable housing.

    Ms Gardner said:

    "Harrogate Borough Council has wasted two years of volunteers' time on a project that was their idea. That leaves me aghast. They suggested the land as they wanted affordable housing on it.
    "We are deciding whether to go to appeal. There were some very good people in Harrogate Borough Council housing that were with us all the way.
    "This is a brownfield site. The council are allowing large building on greenfield sites. They offered us this particular piece. I feel that was quite cynical. They like the idea of the CLT but there are other pieces of land that would have been much more straightforward."





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    'Knaresborough needs its young'


    In December, the Stray Ferret spoke to Steph Getao, a director of Knaresborough CLT who is in her early 30s.

    She said she was moving away from Knaresborough with her husband due to high house prices. She believes the CLT is necessary to keep young people in the town.

    She said:

    “Without young people, Knaresborough will get more and more sleepy. The high street is basically all old dear shops! Knaresborough needs its young."