A new application has been submitted to build 138 homes on Water Lane in Knaresborough.

The plans, put forward by Cunnane Town Planning on behalf of landowner Geoffrey Holland, also include a playground, a pond, and tree-lined streets.

The site had previously been subject to a proposal for 170 homes, which was rejected by Harrogate Borough Council in August 2021.

An appeal over that decision was unsuccessful, with the government's planning inspector saying the plans would have caused "significant harm" to the surrounding area.

In the new plans submitted to North Yorkshire Council, Haines Phillips Architects said:

The documents reveal that plans for 148 homes were initially considered after the appeal failed, but a council case officer suggested the scheme be "wholly redesigned".

After this was done, the planning officer said the proposal was "moving in the right direction", and further discussions resulted in the new plans being submitted this month.

The previous plan for 170 homes, which was rejected on appeal

The site, a former nursery, lies adjacent to housing on Halfpenny Lane, and to the Hay-a-Park site of special scientific interest.

Road access would be created via Mint Garth, with footpaths onto the site from Guinea Croft and Water Lane.

To view or comment on the application, visit North Yorkshire Council's planning website and use reference ZC23/02886/FULMAJ.

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