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16
Oct
Killinghall campaigners gather support outside drop-in event for 120 homes
Two Killinghall residents gathered signatures for their petition opposing more homes in the village yesterday (October 15).
Bellway held a public consultation drop-in event on proposals to build about 120 homes on 16 acres of land off Ripon Road.
It is one of four proposed developments in the village announced in the last four months, which together could see about 425 new homes.
Mike Wilkinson and Libby Ben Abdessadak have received almost 600 online signatures supporting their petition calling for no more homes in Killinghall.
They received dozens more on a paper version which was signed outside Bellway’s drop-in event.
The petition says “essential services are not keeping up with the increasing population”. Referring to the Bellway proposals, it adds:
This development poses a further threat to our overstretched infrastructure, potentially worsening pollution, traffic, and the capacity of local resources.
Building on this land will strip us of the little green space we have left, which is vital not only for our environment but also for the wellbeing and quality of life of our community members.
This petition is aimed at the North Yorkshire Council planning department, urging them to reconsider this proposal and listen to our community's plea. We must protect our village from further unnecessary development and preserve it for future generations.
Information boards at the drop-in event gave a brief overview of the scheme. Visitors were invited to fill in feedback forms. The closing date for comments is October 31.
Martyn Earle, Bellway strategic land director for the northern region, said:
This parcel of land presents an opportunity to deliver a sensitively designed development which will provide new high-quality housing and publicly accessibly open space for Killinghall. The site is close to the village centre and accessible by public transport which makes it a logical and sustainable location for residential development.
Our vision for the site includes the delivery of approximately 120 homes which would be served by a tree-lined street accessed from Ripon Road, with just over a third of the site being provided as public open space. The retention of extensive hedgerows and trees would be complemented by new planting to create a rich natural environment around the new homes and boost biodiversity.
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