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26
Feb
Property developer 'exploring potential' of former Flaxby golf course site
A property developer is “exploring the potential” of a major site in Flaxby.
Scarborough Group International and Greyfriars Investments are assessing the 270-acre site off the junction 47 of the A1(M), which was previously a golf course.
The land was previously earmarked for a 400-home eco-resort in 2020 after plans to put it forward for a 3,000-home new settlement were turned down by the former Harrogate Borough Council.
However, the eco-resort plans also never moved forward.
Now, the developers say they have put forward the site for consideration as part of the North Yorkshire Local Plan.
Adam Varley, development director at Scarborough Group, said:
Our partnership with Greyfriars Investments represents an exciting step in understanding how this site can support North Yorkshire’s wider development strategy.
While it’s still early days, we’re committed to working with local communities and stakeholders to ensure any future plans reflect their priorities and concerns.
With our proven track record in delivering major mixed-use developments, such as Thorpe Park in Leeds, we are well-positioned to contribute meaningfully to this conversation.
Jamie Macnamara, of Greyfriars Investments, added:
We’re pleased to be working with Scarborough Group to explore the opportunities for the Flaxby site. Their expertise in employment-led developments and deep understanding of regional priorities make them the perfect partner as we seek to create a sustainable, deliverable vision for the site.
According to the council’s map of sites which have been submitted for consideration in the Local Plan, the land at the former Flaxby golf course has been put forward for both housing and commercial purposes.
The site was subject to High Court legal proceedings in October 2020.
At the time, the developers, Flaxby Park Ltd, took the former Harrogate Borough Council to a judicial review when the authority opted to pick a site in Green Hammerton over Flaxby Park for a new settlement.
Following the hearing, Mr Justice Holgate ruled in the council's favour by saying it did not have to make the decision over a new settlement again.
But he ordered the council to pay 15% of Flaxby’s legal costs because it failed to adequately consider an environmental assessment of alternative locations for the settlement.
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